The story shared here is about the 4th version of this event which I've come across that is deliberately trying to demonize the oil company and to mislead the public.
I did a little digging here is what actually happened. I don't believe the oil company did anything wrong. Judge for yourself.
- A storm dumped 7" of rain in the area.
- It caused a landslide which knocked out a bridge .
- The raging currents dragged the bridge 100 yards downstream which then sheared through a pipeline that was buried 5 feet below the creek bed. (Don't mess with mother nature.)
- At 3:00 AM Friday 10/21 the oil company that runs the pipeline noticed a pressure drop and immediately shut it down.
- 3 days later 10/24 after cleaning up the area. "The DEP says they have found no petroleum-related compounds in the river. Everyone that gets their water from the river is said to be safe."
- "Based on a review of the incident and input from local, state and federal officials, a 500-foot section of pipe will be replaced using horizontal directional drilling, which will allow the new pipeline to be placed approximately 25-feet under the stream bed. A repair timetable is being developed."
-"Water monitoring of Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is continuing Tuesday under supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and results continue to show safe drinking water levels in the Susquehanna River."
AK
Below are links to 3 different stories about the incident from the local TV station Fox 43.
Note: I've also copied the text of the stories. As I've discovered that local news stations don't leave these stories up indefinitely. I had previously linked to a local ABC station. But those links now lead to more current and unrelated stories.
http://fox43.com/2016/10/21/pipeline-spill-during-flash-flooding-may-contaminate-susquehanna-river/
GAMBLE TOWNSHIP — Gasoline from a pipeline spilled into a creek in Lycoming County during flash flooding overnight.
Officials with Sunoco Logistics said an 8-inch pipeline was shut down after the leak was detected around 3 a.m. Friday.
The spill occurred in the vicinity of Wallis Run near the intersection of Wallis Run Road and Butternut Grove Road.
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water are urging communities downstream in Northumberland and Union Counties to limit water use as the extent of the leak is determined.
Sunoco Logistics and the State Department of Environmental Protection are testing water in the Susquehanna River to see if the levels of gasoline threaten drinking water.
The amount of gas that leaked is undetermined, but Sunoco says it quickly turned off valves that stopped the leak.
Both Sunoco and the State Department of Environmental Protection say they have told officials in communities along the Loyalsock creek and downstream along the Susquehanna River to be on standby, in case they find levels of gasoline in the water.
The Department of Environmental Protection sent out this release:
Officials with Sunoco Logistics said an 8-inch pipeline was shut down after the leak was detected around 3 a.m. Friday.
The spill occurred in the vicinity of Wallis Run near the intersection of Wallis Run Road and Butternut Grove Road.
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water are urging communities downstream in Northumberland and Union Counties to limit water use as the extent of the leak is determined.
Sunoco Logistics and the State Department of Environmental Protection are testing water in the Susquehanna River to see if the levels of gasoline threaten drinking water.
The amount of gas that leaked is undetermined, but Sunoco says it quickly turned off valves that stopped the leak.
Both Sunoco and the State Department of Environmental Protection say they have told officials in communities along the Loyalsock creek and downstream along the Susquehanna River to be on standby, in case they find levels of gasoline in the water.
The Department of Environmental Protection sent out this release:
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Emergency Response Team today responded to the leak of a Sunoco pipeline carrying gasoline in Lycoming County. An estimated 55,000 gallons of gasoline leaked into a tributary of the Loyalsock Creek, as a result of flash floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall last night. The pipeline has been shut down since early this morning.Sunoco Logistics sent out this release:
DEP personnel are on site working closely with staff from Sunoco and its consultant to remediate the effects of this spill. DEP has been working on emergency plans with the three north-central water systems potentially impacted by this spill.
• Shamokin Dam Borough has closed its intake as a precaution, and Aqua PA is amenable to an emergency interconnect to serve Shamokin Dam Borough if needed.
• The Sunbury Municipal Authority is currently using its Little Shamokin Creek source.
• PA American-Milton has notified its customers to conserve water and has asked commercial users to encourage usage reduction. An alternative source of water is insufficient to meet the full demand. PA American will close its intake as necessary, and is preparing for a potential interconnect, if needed.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be working with DEP’s Emergency Response program staff on a sampling plan in conjunction with the Sunoco contractors and consultant.
DEP is also working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for safe access to the pipeline break. The area is difficult for staff and equipment to reach. As the rain is predicted to continue, it may be later tonight or tomorrow before the water recedes and the break area can be found.
DEP will staff an incident command center at the Eldred Township Fire Hall.
Sunoco Logistics emergency response crews are in the process of containment and collection efforts following a release of gasoline from an 8-inch pipeline in the vicinity of Wallis Run near the intersection of Wallis Run Road and Butternut Grove Road in Gamble Township, Lycoming County. Wallis Run is a tributary of the Loyalsock Creek.
The area received heavy rainfall overnight, resulting in flash floods, landslides and riverbank erosion. Crews will use skimmers to remove gasoline from the top of affected waterways and will erect containment booms downstream.
A drop in pressure in the pipeline was detected by the Sunoco Logistics Control Center shortly after 3 a.m. Friday, October 21. The pipeline was shut down and emergency response personnel were dispatched to the scene. Federal, state, county and local officials were notified and a Unified Command Center was established at the nearby Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Company. The agencies on scene include: Federal Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Safety and environmental crews are meeting with affected residents. Residents who have been impacted by the release can call a Sunoco Logistics representative at 1-800-759-5644.
http://fox43.com/2016/10/24/water-safe-to-drink-after-pipeline-bursts/
Water safe to drink after pipeline bursts
"DEP has taken samples of the water within the stream, within the
river, and they say that none of the tests that they have done show
testing above the limits that are required for drinking water intakes,"
said Charlotte Katzenmoyer, Lancaster City Public Works.
The DEP says they have found no petroleum-related compounds in the river. Everyone that gets their water from the river is said to be safe.
As previously reported.
http://fox43.com/2016/10/25/lycoming-county-pipeline-leak-caused-by-washed-out-bridge/
GAMBLE TOWNSHIP, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania — A pipeline that released gasoline into Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County appears to have been damaged by a bridge that washed out and traveled 100 yards down the creek.
Sunoco Logistics is finalizing repair plans in conjunction with local, state and federal agencies, for its section of pipeline passing under Wallis Run at the confluence with Loyalsock Creek in Gamble Township.
“Given the position of the pipe and the location of the bridge before and after the event, it’s clear that the bridge was responsible for the damage to the pipe,” said David R. Chalson, Sunoco Logistics senior vice-president for operations.
The pipeline section under Wallis Run was installed in 1994 at a depth of at least 5 feet below the stream bed. After excavating and removing the section of damaged pipe Sunday, all evidence indicates that an object of extreme destructive force caused a clean break of the pipe.
A preliminary estimate of 1,300 barrels of gasoline was released from the pipeline, which carries refined petroleum products from the Reading, Pa., area to markets in Williamsport and New York State, including Buffalo and Rochester.
Based on a review of the incident and input from local, state and federal officials, a 500-foot section of pipe will be replaced using horizontal directional drilling, which will allow the new pipeline to be placed approximately 25-feet under the stream bed. A repair timetable is being developed.
Water monitoring of Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is continuing Tuesday under supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and results continue to show safe drinking water levels in the Susquehanna River.
Sunoco Logistics personnel continue to meet with affected residents and address any of their needs and concerns, including well-water testing. Residents who have been impacted by the release may call a Sunoco Logistics representative at 1-800-759-5644.
The U.S. EPA, Pennsylvania DEP, and Lycoming County Department of Safety have supervised the emergency response phase in a Unified Command with Sunoco Logistics. With no significant traces of gasoline found beyond odors in isolated areas, and water samples continuing to show safe levels for drinking water, the emergency phase has concluded and Unified Command was disbanded effective at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 25. Moving forward, Sunoco Logistics will lead repair activities in close contact with the U.S. EPA, Pennsylvania DEP, PennDOT, Lycoming County Emergency Management, Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Source: Sunoco Logistics Press Release
The DEP says they have found no petroleum-related compounds in the river. Everyone that gets their water from the river is said to be safe.
As previously reported.
http://fox43.com/2016/10/25/lycoming-county-pipeline-leak-caused-by-washed-out-bridge/
GAMBLE TOWNSHIP, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania — A pipeline that released gasoline into Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County appears to have been damaged by a bridge that washed out and traveled 100 yards down the creek.
Sunoco Logistics is finalizing repair plans in conjunction with local, state and federal agencies, for its section of pipeline passing under Wallis Run at the confluence with Loyalsock Creek in Gamble Township.
“Given the position of the pipe and the location of the bridge before and after the event, it’s clear that the bridge was responsible for the damage to the pipe,” said David R. Chalson, Sunoco Logistics senior vice-president for operations.
The pipeline section under Wallis Run was installed in 1994 at a depth of at least 5 feet below the stream bed. After excavating and removing the section of damaged pipe Sunday, all evidence indicates that an object of extreme destructive force caused a clean break of the pipe.
A preliminary estimate of 1,300 barrels of gasoline was released from the pipeline, which carries refined petroleum products from the Reading, Pa., area to markets in Williamsport and New York State, including Buffalo and Rochester.
Based on a review of the incident and input from local, state and federal officials, a 500-foot section of pipe will be replaced using horizontal directional drilling, which will allow the new pipeline to be placed approximately 25-feet under the stream bed. A repair timetable is being developed.
Water monitoring of Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is continuing Tuesday under supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and results continue to show safe drinking water levels in the Susquehanna River.
Sunoco Logistics personnel continue to meet with affected residents and address any of their needs and concerns, including well-water testing. Residents who have been impacted by the release may call a Sunoco Logistics representative at 1-800-759-5644.
The U.S. EPA, Pennsylvania DEP, and Lycoming County Department of Safety have supervised the emergency response phase in a Unified Command with Sunoco Logistics. With no significant traces of gasoline found beyond odors in isolated areas, and water samples continuing to show safe levels for drinking water, the emergency phase has concluded and Unified Command was disbanded effective at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 25. Moving forward, Sunoco Logistics will lead repair activities in close contact with the U.S. EPA, Pennsylvania DEP, PennDOT, Lycoming County Emergency Management, Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Source: Sunoco Logistics Press Release
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