Olympic Pipeline Fined $3.8M Over Gas Leak

Olympic Pipeline Company and BP Pipelines have been fined nearly $4 million by the Washington State Department of Ecology for a significant gasoline spill that occurred last year. The incident involved approximately 21,000 gallons of gasoline escaping near Conway, leading to the temporary closure of a local school and contamination of Hill Ditch and nearby wetlands. Ecology is also seeking to recover over $800,000 in response costs.

The spill originated from a corroded carbon steel nut on a pressure monitoring assembly. Despite regular assessments, the critical flaw was missed until a subsequent leak led to the shutdown of the pipeline, which transports fuel from Ferndale to Portland. The investigation revealed the nut should not have been in service, resulting in penalties for unlawful discharge and negligence.

Cleanup operations were extensive, involving the removal of 12,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and 330,000 gallons of oily water. While the response efforts aimed to minimize environmental impact and prioritize public health, several dead wildlife were discovered. BP stated it is reviewing the findings and remains committed to safe operations.