John Kurz became the next President and CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company on April 10, 2023. Kurz follows Interim President Betsy Haines who led the company during the executive search conducted by the Trans Alaska Pipeline System Owners. Kurz brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas industry. This includes serving … Read more
In April 2023, the Council released an assessment of risks and safety culture at the Valdez Marine Terminal. This report was initiated in June 2022, in response to safety concerns brought to Council staff by current and former Alyeska employees. The Council worked with Billie Pirner Garde, a national expert on safety culture for work … Read more
For the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of daily life. Oil spill drills and exercises were not exempt. Restrictions to protect the health and safety of responders limited these activities. Not only were there fewer drills and exercises, they were harder to observe. Social distancing meant that Council staff could not … Read more
The Council held a tour for locals to observe the annual oil spill response training for fishing vessels in Valdez, Alaska, on May 3, 2023. This has been an annual event since 2016, rotating through several communities in the region, though it was postponed during the height of the COVID pandemic. The Valdez community was … Read more