The Observer, January 2008

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Work continues on tanker spill plans

The state of Alaska in early November approved new contingency plans describing how oil shippers will prevent and respond to oil spills.

But the state and the citizens’ council had lingering concerns about shortcomings in the plans. As a result, a steering committee was formed to address the remaining issues. The committee, made up of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Prince William Sound tanker operators, Alyeska’s Ship Escort/Response Vessel System, and the council, met in December and January.

The state attached several conditions to its approval of the plans filed by the companies that ship oil out of Valdez, most of which is carried for Exxon, BP, and ConocoPhillips.

Among the conditions:
• Verification that enough personnel are available to carry out all the requirements in the plans
• Verification that aerial support is available for monitoring use of chemical dispersants in a spill
• Documentation that measures are in place for activating Tier III of the Fishing Vessel Program. (This tier is for vessels that are hired, and trained only after a spill occurs. Other tiers are contracted to respond immediately.)

The council had raised 19 issues in comments before the plans were approved by the state. Many were resolved, but others weren’t, such as responding to oil spills outside the Sound and some Best Available Technology issues.
“We appreciate the shippers’ willingness to improve the plans via the steering committee,” said John Devens, executive director of the council.