Pipeline operator discloses cause of Kansas Keystone oil spill. EPA chief pledges oversight
ALMA — The operator of the Keystone Pipeline disclosed Thursday the first details regarding the cause of a December oil spill in north-central Kansas, the largest in the pipeline's history.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency's leader said Wednesday his department would not hesitate to use its enforcement authority if TC Energy does not comply with its duties in cleaning up the spill, which occurred near Washington in early December.
Nearly 13,000 barrels of crude oil flowed into Mill Creek near Washington in early December, the largest onshore oil spill since 2014. The company said Thursday that cleaning up the spill would cause nearly half a billion dollars.
The company said the spill was caused by "a combination of factors," including bending stress on the pipe and a weld flaw.
TC Energy insisted welding inspection and testing "were conducted within applicable codes and standards" but that the weld flaw created a crack that spread over time, "eventually leading to an instantaneous rupture." The bending stress remains under investigation.
"Our team is progressing a remediation plan, including an analysis of other areas with potentially similar conditions, the use of additional in-line inspections, and further operational mitigations," the company said in a statement.
EPA administrator Michael Regan said TC Energy is complying with the terms of an agreement signed in early January placing cleanup of the December spill under the agency's oversight.
The company said in late January that the company had recovered nearly 90% of the oil released from the spill. It has also temporarily diverted Mill Creek in a bid to help with cleanup efforts. The pipeline was restarted in late December after approval from federal regulators.
EPA leader: Agency will press TC Energy on transparency
Regan spoke with The Capital-Journal after an event at Wabaunsee Senior High School, celebrating the school district's electric school buses.
He said the agency valued transparency from TC Energy, not just with its own officials but with the public.
"I am not afraid to exercise the oversight and enforcement authority to be sure that we're getting the level of transparency that we're looking for, but also the level of transparency that we expect the public to have as well," Regan said. "So, we're going to keep the pressure on. Obviously, we want all the information that's pertinent and relevant. We're going to share that information with the public."
The company has been criticized by environmental advocates and some lawmakers for not sharing sufficient information on the spill and cleanup efforts with the public and elected officials alike. Others have said they have had no complaints about TC Energy's work since the early days of the spill.
A group of activists urged greater action and oversight at a protest at the Statehouse on Monday.
"We don't know what to do to make sure this never happens again," Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park, said at the event, hosted by Kansas Interfaith Action.
Lawmakers have said they wish to hold hearings on the spill in Topeka, though they will likely not occur until next month, at the earliest.
Regan said he hoped a renewed investment in clean energy infrastructure would reduce dependence on pipelines like the Keystone, which transports oil from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas and Illinois.
But he also said companies needed to know the EPA would remain vigilant as well.
"I think that companies need to understand that EPA will exercise its enforcement authority, keep the companies on their toes to follow the law," Regan said. "That is first and foremost."
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Michael Regan says EPA will crack down on TC Energy after Kansas spill
