Online Observer

New station at Copper River Delta to monitor for high winds

by

The Council recently sponsored a new addition to the weather station network. The new station was placed near the mouth of the Copper River Delta on a small island known as Kokinhenik Bar.

The Copper River Valley can funnel high winds when there is a high-pressure system over interior Alaska and a low-pressure system over the Gulf of Alaska. Oil-laden tankers travel shipping lanes a little over 23 miles away, so this information will aid in the safe transportation of oil, and an important asset in the event of a spill.

A link to the data from this weather station, along with other weather tracking resources is available on our website: Tracking Weather for the Safe Transportation of Oil

From the President and Executive Director: Building trust takes time and transparency

by

President Robert Archibald, City of Homer
Executive Director Donna Schantz

We are now six months from the 35th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill (March 24, 1989). These anniversaries are always a time to reflect on lessons learned and acknowledge the progress made in oil spill prevention in response. We also must bring a sharp focus to concerning trends we are seeing in budget and staffing cuts in industry and the associated regulatory agencies. These trends highlight why we must recommit to our mission of promoting the environmentally safe operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal and associated oil tankers.

As we prepare for the annual commemoration of the spill, the Council recently rereleased the publication “Stories from a citizens council,” a collection of interviews/oral histories from key participants in the formation of the Council. Many of these interviews highlighted the value of relationships founded on trust. Trust is built on transparency, listening, and engaging stakeholders.

This emphasis on relationships and trust is timely. The prevention and response system for the Valdez Marine Terminal and associated tankers is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. However, in recent years, the Council has seen a steady erosion in some of the safety systems put in place as a direct result of the lessons learned from that disaster.

After the Exxon Valdez spill, the Alaska Oil Spill Commission found that starting in 1981 there had been a dramatic decline in regulatory oversight that had contributed to the spill.
Congress determined that only when local citizens are involved in oil transport will the trust develop that is necessary to change the system from confrontation to consensus, and so called for creation of citizen councils.

The Council is a unique partner for industry and regulators, providing a platform to cultivate the long-term relationships that are necessary to establish public trust.

While the Council has had disagreements with industry and regulators over the years, there have been numerous examples of us working cooperatively and collaboratively to find solutions. The success of those collaborations was founded on the transparent sharing and use of technical and scientific information; stakeholders felt informed, heard, and included in the process, resulting in trust.

As those who experienced firsthand the devastation of the 1989 spill are retiring or are no longer with us, the Council has increasingly become a knowledge-bearer. Our historical knowledge about how and why systems were implemented is important to uphold an effective system of protections.

The Council was created, in part, in anticipation of the time when the memory of the Exxon Valdez oil spill has faded and some begin to believe that protections look stale, overbearing, and burdensome.

It is critical that industry, government, and citizen leaders remain cognizant of the history that underlies the present system of preparedness. The Council continues to raise awareness and provide reasonable and justified resistance to changes that could weaken existing protections. We will continue doing what we can to resist sliding back into complacency.

Stories from a Citizens’ Council

“A lesson learned is that it’s better to have the stakeholders involved before a disaster happens so that you at least have a bit of a trust level established.”
– Marilyn Leland

Read more from Leland and others involved in the Council’s early days in the rereleased Stories from a Citizens’ Council.

From Alyeska: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company releases inaugural ESG Report

by

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has published its first Environmental, Social, and Governance report, highlighting its dedication to environmental stewardship, sustainable practices, and safe operations of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, or TAPS. The report, showcasing activity and results from 2022, is now available for download (Alyeska’s website).

“Our inaugural ESG report is a testament to our enduring promise to the environment and the communities we serve,” said John Kurz, Alyeska President and CEO. “Since our inception, we have upheld a steadfast commitment to sustainability and safe operations. This report highlights our ongoing dedication to transparency and accountability as we navigate the complex challenges and opportunities of the modern energy landscape.”

With a company legacy dating back to 1970, Alyeska has proudly operated TAPS since its startup in 1977. This landmark achievement underscores the company’s deep-rooted commitment to the responsible transportation of Alaska’s vital energy resources. With approximately 740 full-time employees and collaborating closely with numerous contract and industry partners, Alyeska continues to exemplify a culture of excellence in the energy sector.

The ESG report provides a comprehensive overview of Alyeska’s 2022 initiatives, strategies, and performance in key areas such as environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. From innovative environmental protection measures to proactive engagement with local communities to spotlights on employees, the report highlights Alyeska’s multifaceted approach to fostering a sustainable future.

To access the full ESG report and learn more about Alyeska Pipeline Service Company’s commitment to responsible energy transport, please visit www.alyeska-pipe.com/alyeska-pipeline-service-company/esg-report/.

  • Submitted by Alyeska Corporate Communications

Community Corner: Music, Salmon, and Oil Spill Prevention

by

By Maia Draper-Reich, Outreach Coordinator

In early August, the Council hosted a booth at Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska. The annual music and arts festival welcomes nonprofits to host information booths and share with attendees about their work in the ‘Salmon Causeway’. Salmonfest is a festival rooted in advocacy, working with organizations on the front lines to protect Bristol Bay and its wild salmon fishery. They also support other causes throughout the year. The variety of booths at the 2023 Causeway included salmon-focused and environmental groups, as well as advocacy and education of other issues like Alaska Native interests, women’s health, and more.

Board President Robert Archibald, Port Operations and Vessel traffic System Committee member Max Mitchell, and I staffed the Council’s booth across the three-day festival. The Council’s booth tied into the festival’s theme of healthy salmon through sharing about citizen engagement in marine oil spill prevention and response, and marine invasive species.

We spoke to individuals from the Exxon Valdez oil spill region and beyond about the spill, its aftermath, and the ongoing work the Council does to promote the safe transport of crude oil through Prince William Sound. We handed out Council publications and logoed giveaway items. Ear plugs were popular as they are highly useful at a music festival event and exemplary of how prevention is key. Because of the festival’s environmental advocacy origin, the approximately 350 attendees who stopped by the booth were engaged and receptive with many eager to stay connected and learn more through our newsletter and receiving a copy of The Spill book.

Sharing about invasive species took the form of a carnival game-style activity. Booths were encouraged to have an activity that attendees could complete or engage with to get a stamp on their Causeway bingo card. The Council’s carnival game was the Green Crab Attack explainer activity where the participants get to step into the shoes of a marine scientist monitoring for invasive crab species such as European Green Crab. Youth and adults of all ages tried out removing foam sea creatures from the crab trap and sorting them into categories keeping an eye out for any green crabs.

Salmonfest was a great opportunity to connect with community members from lower Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula, as well as those from elsewhere in Alaska and visitors, on citizen engagement in oil spill prevention and response in Prince William Sound and the downstream communities. On Sunday, people carrying large salmon puppets paraded by the nonprofit Causeway as a local act played on the nearby Inlet Stage, illustrating how the festival allows art, local environmental issues, and people to converge.

Skip to content