DEP cites six violations in river oil spill
Photo courtesy Pennsylvania DEP An oil sheen and initial containment from an oil spill on the Allegheny River are pictured.
Additional containment measures from an oil spill Thursday at a storm sewer outfall on the Allegheny River are pictured.
Photo courtesy Pennsylvania DEP An oil sheen and initial containment from an oil spill on the Allegheny River are pictured.
Additional containment measures from an oil spill Thursday at a storm sewer outfall on the Allegheny River are pictured.
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Oil Spill
Photo courtesy Pennsylvania DEP
An oil sheen and initial containment from an oil spill on the Allegheny River are pictured.
Oil Spill 2
Additional containment measures from an oil spill Thursday at a storm sewer outfall on the Allegheny River are pictured.
Approximately one barrel of crude oil entered the Allegheny River on Thursday after a valve on an oil tanker truck was accidentally left open while collecting oil from a storage tank at the City of Warren Department of Public Works garage.
According to a statement from City Manager Mike Holtz, the tanker truck was at the DPW garage around 6 a.m. to collect oil from a storage tank inside the facility. A valve on the truck was mistakenly opened, allowing crude oil to flow into a nearby catch basin. The basin drains into the Allegheny River near Paws Along the River.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) later documented the incident in a Nov. 5 inspection report, identifying Curtis & Son Oil Inc. as the operator associated with the oil storage facility and AR Trucking as the company operating the tanker truck.
According to the DEP report, approximately one barrel of crude oil was initially reported released onto an asphalt parking lot. The oil entered a nearby storm sewer system and traveled approximately 400 feet southwest before discharging into the Allegheny River.
The DEP inspection report stated that the truck operator immediately closed the valve, stopping the discharge.
According to Holtz, emergency responders and local agencies began containment and cleanup efforts after being notified of the spill.
The Warren County Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania DEP, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Warren Fire Department and Warren City Department of Public Works responded. United Refining also provided personnel, equipment and assistance.
According to the DEP report, absorbent booms were placed along the northern bank of the Allegheny River near the storm sewer and additional booms were deployed approximately 900 feet downstream, near the confluence of the Conewango Creek and the Allegheny River at Point Park.
Although the initial containment efforts collected some free crude oil, DEP inspectors observed an oil sheen moving beyond the booms. Pockets of oil were also found among downed trees and debris along the northern riverbank.
Responders used boats to deploy additional absorbent and containment booms between Point Park and the storm sewer outfall. Crews also collected visible oil from the water.
A downstream survey did not identify recoverable oil below Point Park. However, an oil sheen of varying intensity was observed near Starbrick, approximately seven miles downstream from the spill location.
The DEP report indicated that the sheen diminished downstream after additional containment equipment was deployed.
Curtis & Son employees and other local oil and gas producers initially assisted with collecting recoverable oil near the storm sewer outfall.
Representatives from Environmental Remediation & Recovery (ER&R), working on behalf of AR Trucking, arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday to review the incident and ongoing cleanup operations.
Holtz said responders worked to minimize environmental impacts and protect the Allegheny River. He also thanked United Refining for its quick response, resources and expertise.
Following its inspection, the DEP documented six new violations associated with the November 5 crude oil discharge.
Among the violations cited were:
Discharging industrial waste into Pennsylvania waters.
Discharging industrial waste without the required permit or authorization.
Improper discharge of production fluids into waters of the Commonwealth.
Violations involving the management, storage, transportation or disposal of residual waste.
The DEP cited Curtis & Son Oil Inc. in connection with the incident and issued a Notice of Violation.
The department requested a written response by Nov. 24. The company was also directed to notify DEP within 15 days of the notice whether it intends to address the spill through the state’s Act 2 remediation process or the Alternative Remediation Process.
The notice asks the company to explain the cause of the violations, identify corrective actions and provide an anticipated schedule for achieving compliance.
DEP emphasized that the Notice of Violation is not a final enforcement action. The department retains the option to pursue additional enforcement after reviewing the circumstances and the company’s response.