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Alyeska gets USCG environmental award
Steve Sutherlin Petroleum News
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. has earned the gold-level 2020 Biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence, presented by the U.S. Coast Guard to honor members of the marine industry for excellence in areas of marine safety and environmental protection.
The award will be presented during the North American Marine Environment Protection Association Safety at Sea event held virtually on May 21.
“It is privilege to work in the pristine environment of Prince William Sound and the pipeline corridor,” Michelle Egan, Alyeska chief communications officer, told Petroleum News. “We are entrusted with a great responsibility to protect that environment and we are proud that we have been recognized for our work with this prestigious award.”
The award reviewed Alyeska’s marine safety and environmental performance between 2018-2019, including the marine services transition, the organization’s safety culture and performance, environmental monitoring, community partnerships and philanthropy programs, Alyeska said in a press release.
The nomination was focused on the Valdez Marine Terminal and Prince William Sound, but also recognized operations of the trans-Alaska pipeline system, like the 2019 Minton Creek exercise and Alyeska’s ongoing work with University Alaska Fairbanks on unmanned aerial vehicles, the company said.
“This award is an awesome acknowledgment of our employees and their commitment to protecting the precious environment we call home,” said Betsy Haines, Alyeska senior vice president of operations and maintenance. “We’re recognized, in part, for our work in prevention, and also our safe and effective responses when a bad day occurs.”
Benkert an environmental and safety leader The award is named for Rear Admiral William M. Benkert (1923-1989), who served at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., as chief of the Office of Marine Environment and Systems from 1972 until 1974, and as chief of the Office of Merchant Marine Safety from 1974 until 1978.
“The program recognizes corporations and businesses involved in marine facility or vessel operations that have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievement in protecting the marine environment,” the Coast Guard said in a May 15 announcement. “It also encourages innovations in operations, pollution prevention and response, environmental outreach and partnerships and provides a means for award recipients to share their successful methods and techniques with others in industry.”
The Coast Guard also recognized Alaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network among the 2020 honorees, bestowing the Osprey award on the Anchorage-based nonprofit for its work to provide vessel operators with federal regulatory compliance to operate enrolled tank and non tank vessels in Western Alaska and Prince William Sound.
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