Midwest Oil Spill?
Apparently the Coastal areas aren’t the only places oil is running rampant these days. An unlikely spot, Michigan, is experiencing around a 1 million gallon oil spill from a leaking pipeline. Coming in as the largest oil spill in the history of the Midwest, but small compared to the looming Gulf Disaster that comes in around 92 million gallons to date.
Oil Spill 101: Coastal vs. Inland
Unfortunately, this highlights a larger issue. Inland oil spills are often a misunderstood and unaddressed issue. According to the U.S. EPA, coastal water spills are attributed mainly to vessels and offshore drilling, making up 76% of all spills. Coastal spills are mainly crude and fuel oil with a few other minor players. For inland spills 78% is due to Vessels and Fixed Facilities and the vast majority are of fuel oil with the other major players being crude oil and hydraulic, transformer, and lubricating oil.
With our growing awareness about the flaws in the US regulatory’s system, the oil industry’s system, and the oil equipment industry’s system it’s important to also understand these issues for inland spills as well. The Trans Atlantic Pipeline that runs from Alaska typically has several gushing holes in it at one time. They are most often attributed to hunter’s stray gunshots. With so much wilderness, these take time to detect and patch. Since pipelines do not have the same maintenance and surveillance rules as oil rigs and wells, they often go under the radar until a large disaster, like the spill in Michigan occurs.
For those living away from the oil rigs or wells…a spill could just as well happen where you live as well via pipelines and other inland threats. So be aware, be careful when hunting, and why not try to kick some of our oil addiction while we’re at it. Less oil consumed means less oil to spill, right?
Photo Credit: Good Morning Florida Keys
Comments
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July 30th, 2010
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July 30th, 2010Trackback from : Midwest Oil Spill? | Pays to Live Green | The Daily Conservative
Seeing that Pelican covered in oil is such a sad image to look at, still boggles my mind that something huge like this happened. Hopefully they fix those flaws in the regulatory system, I would hate to see another repeat of this oil spill
Till then,
Jean
Oh my… It’s really sad to see the pelican covered in black dirty oil. Something have to be done. Consume lesser oil!
@Computer Tips Tricks, consuming less oil isn’t going to fix the issue though. It’s like Tiffany said, fixing the flaws in the system is going to get it done.
Till then,
Jean
Another month goes by, another oil spill. This just strengthens the argument that the country needs to take action to get off of dirty oil and move to more sustainable energy choices like solar