PHMSA investigates Walla Walla gasoline spill threatening historic hotel and community safety

On January 8, 2025, Skagit County officials convened for the Quarterly Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting, where significant discussions centered around recent environmental incidents and their implications for community safety and regulatory practices.

A primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing investigation into a gasoline spill linked to the Olympic Pipeline, which occurred on December 10, 2023. The spill originated from a concrete vault housing equipment connected to the pipeline. Heavy rainfall had filled the vault, causing gasoline to overflow into adjacent farmland and subsequently into Hill Ditch, a waterway leading to the Skagit River. Fortunately, the timing of the spill coincided with a closed tide gate, preventing visible contamination in the river. However, low concentrations of gasoline constituents were detected during sampling, raising concerns about potential long-term environmental impacts.

The meeting also highlighted the role of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in investigating the spill. Their final report is anticipated soon, which will provide a detailed analysis of the incident's causes. This investigation is crucial, as it will inform future regulatory measures and enhance safety protocols for pipeline operations in the region.

In addition to the pipeline spill, officials discussed a separate incident involving a diesel spill from a Chevron station in Cheney. This incident, which resulted from a leaking underground storage tank, led to significant environmental damage and a cleanup cost of approximately $900,000. The discussion underscored the importance of regulatory oversight for underground storage tanks, particularly those configured in a way that may evade existing regulations. As a result of this incident, new policies have been implemented to ensure similar configurations are now subject to inspection and regulation.

The meeting also touched on a gasoline spill in Walla Walla, where a leak from an underground storage tank posed immediate risks to public safety, including explosive concentrations of gasoline vapors detected near a historic hotel. The responsible party has yet to contribute financially to the cleanup efforts, which have already cost the state over $3 million.

Overall, the discussions at the LEPC meeting emphasized the need for stringent regulatory measures and proactive community engagement to prevent future environmental incidents. As investigations continue and new policies are implemented, Skagit County officials remain committed to safeguarding public health and the environment. The anticipated reports from PHMSA and other agencies will be critical in shaping the county's response and regulatory framework moving forward.