Owners of an oil pipeline that ruptured last month in Washington County, have entered into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the oil discharge.
The directive was finalized January 6 between TC Oil Pipeline Operations, which operates the Keystone Pipeline, and the EPA. The agency is requiring the company to recover oil and oil-contaminated soil and vegetation and contain the further spread of oil in Mill Creek. All work required under the order will be completed under EPA oversight.
In a statement, the company says it appreciated the agency’s willingness to work cooperatively.
The Keystone Pipeline, which carries oil from Canada to Texas and Illinois, spilled approximately 14,000 barrels of oil (roughly 588,000 gallons) over land and into Mill Creek. As of Jan. 2, TC Energy reported it had recovered almost 12,000 barrels from Mill Creek and surrounding areas. Responding crews will temporarily reroute Mill Creek to accommodate the cleanup.
