The Marine Safety Information Bulletin announces the 2019 update to the Guidelines for the Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) Classification Program. These updates are a collaborative effort between the Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy (CG-MER), the National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC), and Coast Guard subject matter experts to more closely align the program [...]
As the sweet spots of the booming Permian Basin are drilled, oil companies will need to either spend more money or consider mergers and acquisitions to keep up their crude production volumes, according to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. The conundrum is that Wall Street is punishing the stocks of public energy companies that [...]
CALGARY – The chairman of a B.C. indigenous group seeking to buy a stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline says Ottawa should favour communities along the route when deciding who can make an ownership bid. Chief Michael LeBourdais of Whispering Pines Clinton Indian Band near Kamloops, B.C., says for that reason he supports the efforts [...]
NJ Resources, Inc. is a sponsor of Clean Pacific to be held June 18-20, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, British Columbia. CLEAN PACIFIC brings together the tight-knit response community in the Western United States and Canada to address spill prevention and response matters pertinent to that region's environmental sensitivities. Follow this link for additional details on [...]
On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil. The spill had a lasting effect on Alaskans. “The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill changed how we do things in Alaska,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jason Brune. “Thirty years later, thanks to lessons learned [...]
Changes proposed to strengthen railroads’ oil spill response efforts Requirements would protect people, wildlife and the environment OLYMPIA – Railroad lines stretch across thousands of miles in Washington, often along pristine rivers and shorelines of the state. An oil spill from a train could pose a significant threat not only to the environment but to people [...]
Closing Gaps in Spill Response Planning for Rail Routes Oil and hazardous material spills are toxic and threaten public health and the environment. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s ability to prepare for those types of spills along rail routes is limited due to gaps in regulatory authority. Proposed legislation, House Bill 2209, would address [...]
The emergency regulations governing the development of oil spill contingency plans and financial responsibility for inland facilities, pipelines, refineries and railroads became effective Sept. 3, 2015. Affected industry members had until January 1, 2016 to submit facility contingency plans and Certificates of Financial Responsibility. The statewide regulations implementing Senate Bill 861 were approved for permanent [...]
The US Coast Guard has issued a notice announcing the availability of the 2016.1 National Preparedness for Exercise Response (NPREP) Guidelines. The revised guidelines entered into effect on 1 October 2018. 83 Fed. Reg. 49563 (10/2/18) [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-02/pdf/2018-21450.pdf].
The United States Coast Guard has promulgated the first change to its Marine Environmental Response and Preparedness Manual. The two key elements that Change 1 includes are as follows: Area Contingency Plan (ACP) policy verification tiers of Geographic Response Strategies (GRS) review and verification requirements; Facility Response Plan (FRP) approvals; and Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) responsibilities [...]