The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of EPA filed suit Tuesday against Colonial Pipeline Co. for allegedly spilling 3 million gallons (71,500 barrels) of petroleum over nine states since 1980.
Pipeline corrosion, mechanical damage and operator error have resulted in numerous spills over the past 20 years in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey.
The suit seeks civil penalties that could amount anywhere from $71.4 million to $214.3 million if the company is penalized on a per-barrel basis and depending on whether gross negligence is determined, said DOJ.
Colonial Pipeline, the nation''s largest refined oil products pipeline, said that it had already paid $13.5 million to state governments in environmental fines, and that its safety record had improved sharply in the last five years.
The pipeline crosses numerous rivers, streams and wetlands, and oils spills from the pipeline have put a variety of aquatic systems at risk.
The suit alleges that in one case, more than 950,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the Reedy River in South Carolina, killing 35,000 fish and dispersing oil 34 miles downstream.
Colonial Pipeline is owned by BP, Citgo Petroleum Co., Phillips Petroleum Co., Conoco Inc., Texaco Inc., Unocal Corp. and Marathon Ashland Petroleum Co.
by Virginia Sutcliffe
About the Author
EHS Today Staff
EHS Today's editorial staff includes:
Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.
Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.