Online Observer Archives | Page 68 of 93 | Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

Revised curriculum educates about oil spill prevention and response

September 1, 2021January 20, 2015

By LISA MATLOCK
Outreach Coordinator

During the summer of 2012, the council hosted a workshop with environmental education professionals from all over Southcentral Alaska, pooling the best oil spill education programs in one place. Katie Gavenus, an environmental educator from Homer, was chosen by the council’s Information and Education Committee to put new activity ideas and the best of the original curriculum together. The resulting 2014 K-12 Oil Spill Curriculum will help today’s students understand the history and science of oil spills in Alaska.

Liberty Bay enters service in Prince William Sound

January 23, 2015January 19, 2015

The first of two new SeaRiver oil tankers made its first visit to the terminal in Prince William Sound this past September. The Liberty Bay was built by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

A tug helps the Liberty Bay dock at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Photo by Alan Sorum. — A tug helps the Liberty Bay dock at the Valdez Marine Terminal.

To prevent oil spills, we must focus on the right risks

January 23, 2015January 19, 2015

From the Executive Director:

Only in hindsight can we perfectly zero in on the most important details. We’d like to be able to say we can see what’s coming and prepare for the best possible outcome. Often, however, the details that matter only appear obvious after the dust has settled. We complacently assume that if nothing changes what worked yesterday should work tomorrow. We are suspicious of change, assuming that change increases risk for undesired outcomes. Perhaps.

Single-hulled tankers now outlawed in U.S. waters

January 23, 2015January 19, 2015

Starting this year, single-hulled oil tankers are now illegal in all U.S. waters.

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, passed after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, required that all new oil tankers be constructed with double hulls. Single-hulled tankers were allowed to continue operating, but were to be gradually phased out.