News

Funds available for educational projects related to our mission

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Several students sit on a boardwalk above wetlands. They are writing and drawing observations about their surroundings in their journals.
Youth from across Prince William Sound participated in the Sound Connections program run by Prince William Sound Science Center in the summer of 2025, which was supported through a PWSRCAC Youth Involvement contract. Photo: Courtesy of PWSSC.

The Council works to educate Exxon Valdez region youth about the environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers. Working with area youth is vital to fight complacency that can arise if new generations of citizens are not continually reminded of the need for ongoing oil spill prevention.

To support this effort, the Council invites proposals for facilitating learning experiences with Exxon Valdez oil spill region youth. Youth in this case can include students from K-12 formal education, homeschool students, informal education programs, and either formal or informal college-level education. In the past, the PWSRCAC has also sponsored projects for teachers that benefit area youth.

Now accepting proposals

We are currently accepting proposals for projects taking place during the summer of 2026.

Submittal Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on November 21, 2025
Award Announcement on or before January 31, 2026

Projects should result in better understanding of such topics as: citizens’ oversight, environmental impacts of the operation of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company oil terminal in Valdez and the oil tankers that call there, oil spill prevention and response planning and operation, and/or other topics related to the Council’s mission.

Past and ongoing projects have included:

  • youth stewardship expeditions into the marine environment via sea kayak and other vessels
  • youth monitoring for aquatic invasive species
  • public oil spill science discovery labs
  • oil spill science and technology outreach
  • oil spill education website development
  • K-12 oil spill curriculum writing and testing
  • travel funding for youth presenting oil spill projects at conferences
  • oral history projects related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill
  • other marine stewardship programs for students with an oil spill connection
  • more information about past projects

Download RFP: Youth Involvement 2026 Summer

Questions?

Please contact Outreach Coordinator Maia Draper-Reich at education@pwsrcac.org.

More about the Council:

Future funding opportunities

There are two deadlines each year to submit proposals for educational project funding. You may subscribe to our email list for new Requests for Proposals to receive notifications when these are issued by the Council.

Council met in Cordova, September 18 & 19, 2025

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The Council’s Board of Directors met in Cordova, Alaska on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19, 2025.

Meeting materials and agenda: Board of Directors Meeting in Cordova

Public events:

  • Tuesday, September 16, 5:30 P.M. – “Tuesday Night Talk” with the PWSRCAC & the Prince William Sound Science Center – Dr. Danielle Verna gave a talk titled Policy in Practice: How OPA 90 Shapes Science in the Sound, about the Council’s latest research, long-term monitoring, and how the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) continues to shape science in the Sound 35 years after it was signed into law.
  • Wednesday, September 17, 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. – Master of Disaster educational event at Mt. Eccles Elementary School –
  • Thursday, September 18, 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. – Public reception at the Reluctant Fisherman. The Council co-hosted a public reception with Repsol.

On the agenda

The Council conducted regular business during the meeting, including updates from Council ex officio members, staff and committees. Other topics included on the agenda were:

  • An activity report by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company on the Valdez Marine Terminal and Ship Escort Response Vessel System operations.
  • A presentation by representatives from Alaska Tanker Company on recent tanker engine upgrades.
  • Update on a project to develop updated geographic response strategies for the Copper River Delta and Flats area.
  • A presentation from representatives from Teekay Shipping on their training programs for their foreign flagged fleet.
  • A report summarizing the recent Subsistence Memorial Gathering Workshop and resulting recommendations.
  • A summary of a recent analysis of Alaska North Slope crude oil properties commissioned by the council.
    An update on recent changes to dispersants regulations and stockpiles in Alaska.
  • A technical review of the maintenance of Ballast Water Storage Tank 93 at the Valdez Marine Terminal.
  • An update on integrity testing methods for the terminal’s secondary containment system liner.

More details: Meeting materials and agenda for September 18 & 19 PWSRCAC Board of Directors meeting. 

Council board meetings are routinely recorded and may be disseminated to the public by the council or by the news media.

Media release: Prince William Sound RCAC board to meet in Cordova, September 18-19

Now hiring: Terminal Operations Project Manager

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This position is located in Valdez, Alaska.

The Council is seeking a skilled and motivated professional to serve as our Terminal Operations Program Manager in Valdez!

We are looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional with expertise in terminal systems, regulatory engagement, and technical project management. This position leads the Council’s work related to the safe, transparent, and environmentally sound operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal. The role supports the Terminal Operations and Environmental Monitoring (TOEM) Committee and works closely with staff, industry representatives, regulators, and local stakeholders.

The Terminal Operations Program Manager responsibilities include:

  • Managing technical projects, contracts, and consultants related to Valdez Marine Terminal systems such as mechanical integrity, storage tanks, vapor controls, and spill prevention.
  • Coordinating the development and execution of the TOEM Committee’s annual work plan, and supporting the committee in meeting its strategic goals.
  • Reviewing proposed operational or regulatory changes and preparing technical analyses, summaries, and responses.
  • Preparing clear and effective written materials including reports, presentations, committee packets, and public communications.
  • Facilitating TOEM Committee meetings, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and follow-up documentation.
  • Collaborating with industry, regulatory agencies, and local partners to gather input and share Council perspectives.
  • Tracking project budgets, processing invoices, and ensuring compliance with procurement and contract policies.
  • Representing the Council at relevant meetings, drills, conferences, and trainings.
  • Monitoring developments at the terminal and recommending actions or areas of focus for the Council.

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, marine transportation, environmental science, or a related field. At least three years of relevant professional experience in oil and gas, maritime operations, terminal systems, environmental monitoring, or regulatory compliance. Strong written and verbal communication skills, project management experience, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of $113,400+ DOE. An additional 10% of base salary is provided for Valdez cost of living adjustment. After 60 days of successful employment, an additional 25% of base salary is added for optional benefits, bringing total compensation to $153,090.

A complete job description can be found at: Terminal Operations Program Manager (PDF).

 Questions? Email info@pwsrcac.org

About the Council

The Council was formed in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill with the mission of promoting the environmentally safe operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal and the associated tankers. The Council has an annual operating budget around $4.2M with a total staff of 18 and over 50 volunteers.

More about the Council

To apply

Applications will only be considered when emailed to hans.odegard@pwsrcac.org. Please include:

  1. Current resume
  2. Cover letter describing why your education, work experience, and career goals are a good match for this position and why you want to work for the PWSRCAC
  3. List of at least three professional references with contact information

Finalists may be subject to criminal and credit background checks, and verification of education and past employment.

Open until filled – first review of Terminal Operations applicants: September 22, 2025.

Responders perform well overall in drills in 2024

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Two fishing vessels pull boom behind them. Each boat is attached to one end of the boom so that when they move forward, the boom forms a curve. In this first image, the boats are parallel with each other so that the boom is in the shape of the letter U.

Many of the drills and exercises conducted by the industry last year went well, according to the latest drill summary released by the Council. During the 14 drills and exercises observed in 2024, responders were generally well-practiced and activities went smoothly. The summary report also contains suggestions for future exercises.

Tanker spill exercise

In October, Marathon Petroleum conducted a large exercise, simulating a spill of almost 3 million gallons of crude oil from a tanker into central Prince William Sound.

One goal of the exercise was to test how well responders transitioned command of the response from Alyeska’s Ship Escort Response Vessel System, or SERVS, to Marathon. Part of SERVS’ role in an oil spill is to initiate and manage the response activities until the company that owns the tanker arrives on the scene.

“The transition from Alyeska to Marathon was very well done,” says Roy Robertson, drill monitor for the Council. “The Marathon team members took the time to shadow SERVS’ team before the transition to learn the system and processes that are unique to our region.”

“Marathon also kept most of SERVS’ team around to provide support which has not always been done in the past,” Robertson added.

Three people surround a metal table in a shiny new facility with modern equipment. One of the three is directing the other two on otter cleaning techniques. The "otter" on the table is a stuffed toy.
A wildlife expert teaches Council staff members Donna Schantz and Joe Lally how to clean crude oil from an otter. A stuffed toy otter is used in these training sessions.

Terminal spill exercises

In 2024, Alyeska conducted several exercises that simulated a spill from the terminal. During one of these, Alyeska set up its new units for treating oiled wildlife such as otters and birds. These units contain state of the art equipment and can be set up quickly in the event of a spill.

Polar Tankers conducted emergency towing exercises

Polar Tankers led the pack in tanker towing exercises. The industry is required to perform one each quarter, although a total of five were conducted in 2024. The Council observed two of the five. Polar Tankers volunteered to conduct three.

“These exercises do add time to the tanker’s trip,” says Robertson. “But they provide valuable training for the crews.”

The report recommends rotating the exercises between the various shipping companies.

Protecting sensitive areas

Several exercises focused on tactics to keep oil away from shorelines or other areas that are particularly susceptible to damage from oil contamination.

This type of exercise is often held during the annual spill response training for fishing vessel crews. The small vessels that participate in these trainings would mostly be used in this capacity in a real incident.

Some areas to improve

The report included suggestions for improving future exercises, including:

  • More deployments of the new oil spill response barge, the Allison Creek, which replaced an older barge of the same name last year. The new barge is an improvement, but does have more equipment on its deck.
  • Practice response operations during reduced visibility. More than 5 years have elapsed since the last exercise was conducted in low visibility. The escort tugs have special equipment on board that improves responders’ ability to spot oil in these conditions.

2024 Annual Drill Report

More details and additional recommendations are available in the full report: 2024 Annual Drill Monitoring Report 

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