Pipeline burst causes 105,000 gallons of spillage
On May.19, officials from Los Angeles reported that an estimated 105,000 gallons of crude oil has spilled into Santa Barbara County. The problem involved two pump stations located along the Gaviota coast. The operation, run by Plains All American Pipeline, has received large amounts of criticism for their inability to prevent such a spill from occurring.
After official inspection, the pipes were said to have leaked due a failure to meet safety requirements. The ruptured line caused thousands of gallons of crude oil to seep into Refugio State Beach, located in Santa Barbara County.
Environmentalists have been widely outspoken regarding the ineffectiveness of safety measures for pipelines. The inability to provide safe and environmentally responsible regulations for pipelines has now become a key issue for environmentalists and oil companies alike.
The ruptured line and the treatment of the incident as a whole is currently being investigated by the state. Leading to the closure of two state beaches, some oil slicks are reported to be as long as nine-miles. The pipeline, which was installed in 1987 according to Plains All American Pipeline officials, has yet to be excavated in order to identify the reason for the rupture.
In an article published by CNN regarding the spill, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris stated, “California’s coastline is one of the state’s most precious natural treasures. This oil spill has scarred the scenic Santa Barbara coast, natural habitats and wildlife. My office is working closely with our state and federal partners on an investigation of this conduct to ensure we hold responsible parties accountable.”
While it is apparent that further investigation into the cause of the spill needs to occur, what remains visible is the damage and destruction caused by the aftermath of the spill. California’s coastlines are among some of the most beautiful in the world–now instead of people enjoying the once pristine beaches, the thousands of gallons of crude oil have left their mark – filling the beach with those dealing with hazardous waste disposal and wildlife rescue efforts.
According to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration, Plains All American Pipelines are among the heaviest violators of regulations and oil-related misconduct. In a report published by CNN, the administration also claimed that Plains All American Pipelines violated federal regulations 10 times between 2004 and 2007, when about 273,420 gallons of crude oil were discharged into waters or shorelines in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Another daunting fact remains; this is not the first time a spill has occurred in Santa Barbara. In 1969, one of the largest oil spills in human history occurred. The vast amounts of crude oil spilled were the third largest, behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 and the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. The incident which occurring in 1969 spurred an entire environmentalist movement, allowing for numerous federal laws and regulations to be set in place in order to prevent such accidents for the future.