Regulators begin analysis of pipeline spill response

by The Associated Press

Regulators have begun working on an analysis of the spill response to last month’s shooting of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

Government officials have so far praised Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.’s response to the 285,000-gallon spill. Daniel Carson Lewis, 37, is accused of the Oct. 4 shooting north of Fairbanks near Livengood.

Rhea DoBosh, a spokeswoman for the federal-state Joint Pipeline Office, said Nov. 5 that the report could identify areas for improvement.

Critics have said the response was too slow. It took 36 hours for the company to clamp the hole and stop the leak.

Alyeska said it took that long because of the need to ensure that the clamp operation was guaranteed to be safe and effective.

DoBosh said the environmental regulators will look at whether other equipment, such as more clamps, or additional training could make such a spill response go smoother.

The final report is scheduled to be released in mid-January.