This Saturday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released an official department update on the Exxon Mobil oil spill that occurred a week ago. The oil spill happened after an oil pipe running underneath the Yellowstone River near Billings, Montana ruptured for unknown reasons.
Initially the EPA issued ExxonMobil an administrative order to report on the possible cause and events leading up to the rupture of the oil pipe under the Yellowstone River. Additionally, the EPA has requested that the oil company report on current efforts to clean up the spill in the body of water, as well as submit a recovery and remediation action plan that includes sampling to monitor environmental health. Crews are currently working to clean up recoverable oil in 30 areas on the Yellowstone River and connecting waterways. Spilled crude oil has been identified as far as 70 miles away.
So far the ruptured oil well has affected several areas in Montana, including nearby Billings, Laurel, and Lakewood and the amount spilled is unknown. According to the Chicago Tribune, shortly after the crude oil spill early on the morning of July 2, nearby residents temporarily evacuated the area after an order was announced for all of Yellowstone County. However, evacuees were able to return to their homes by 6 a.m.
The EPA is also continuing to conduct its own sampling in the area, specifically indoor air quality at nearby homes. Because Exxon Mobil's oil spill affected the Yellowstone River and connecting bodies of water and ground water systems, the agency is taking precautions to monitor possible impacts on public health, including working with local agencies and departments to sample well water in the area.
Steve Merritt, EPA On Scene Coordinator working in the area of the oil spill spoke about the EPA's and Exxon Mobil's clean-up efforts. Merritt said, "The biggest challenge right now is the river itself, we have boats in shallow and slack waters but the water is too high and moving too fast to safely place boats in the main river channel. There are more than 550 personnel on scene, and approximately 350 personnel are in the field right now working on this cleanup."
The New York Post reported that Fire Chief of Laurel Brent Peters said the oil spill occurred from a break in the 12-inch pipe late on the night of July 1 and that about 140 people were evacuated starting at 12:15 a.m. due to the possibility of an explosion from the leaked oil.
The EPA is continuing to monitor the oil spill and is also holding several media and public conferences to announce updates on efforts to clean up the spill.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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