The Council monitors terminal operations and maintenance, air and water quality standards, reviews operating permits and protocols, and conducts independent research on topics such as corrosion and piping inspection technologies.
Through the work of the terminal operations program, a number of significant improvements have helped reduce environmental impacts from the terminal.
- Prior to 1998, large amounts of hydrocarbon vapors, including known carcinogens such as benzene, were released into the atmosphere as crude oil was loaded onto tanker ships. Work done in this program helped the Council advocate for a vapor recovery system to capture those harmful vapors. In 1998, Alyeska finished installing vapor recovery systems on its two active loading berths, eliminating the emission of those hydrocarbons.
- Prior to 2009, the ballast water treatment facility on the terminal was also a large source of atmospheric emissions of hydrocarbons. The reason for this was because one of the treatment stages, dissolved air flotation, was open to the atmosphere allowing hydrocarbons to escape. Through this program the Council advocated that these vapors be contained. In 2009 and 2010, Alyeska covered the dissolved air flotation tanks, eliminating this source of air contamination.
Council report assesses risks and safety culture at Alyeska’s Valdez Marine Terminal
New report: “Assessment of Risks and Safety Culture at Alyeska’s Valdez Marine Terminal” Prepared by Ms. Billie Pirner Garde, contractor ...
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Electric current can find damage in underground liners
A new Council report shows how electricity can be used to “see” damage in the asphalt liners that are intended ...
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Matt Cullin builds life of growth and success out of expertise in corrosion and failure analysis
At his job as the director of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s BP Asset Integrity and Corrosion Lab, Matt Cullin ...
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Schantz: Collaboration leads to better solutions for prevention and response
By Donna Schantz Executive Director The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 notes congressional findings from the Exxon Valdez oil spill ...
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Council supports Alyeska’s appeal to EPA
In late 2020, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company appealed a July 2020 Environmental Protection Agency air quality rule that would regulate ...
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Corrosion protection system for terminal’s crude oil pipes in good shape overall
A recent study of operations and maintenance of Alyeska’s cathodic protection system found that the program was “very good;” however ...
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