Governors Declare Emergencies in Response to Olympic Pipeline Leak

A leak discovered on November 11 in the Olympic Pipeline near Everett, Washington, has led to emergency declarations by the governors of Washington and Oregon. The 400-mile pipeline, operated by BP, supplies gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from refineries in northern Washington to distribution points in both states.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on November 19, temporarily waiving regulations to allow extended driving hours for commercial vehicle operators transporting jet fuel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). This measure aims to maintain adequate fuel supplies at the airport during the pipeline's shutdown.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek followed suit on November 24, declaring a state of emergency to ensure continued fuel delivery to the state. The order permits temporary waivers on commercial driving regulations, facilitating fuel transportation by ships and trucks. While officials do not anticipate immediate fuel shortages, they caution that drivers might experience price increases due to the more costly delivery methods.

BP has identified the source of the leak in a 20-inch segment of the pipeline and is developing repair plans. A 16-inch segment has been tested and safely restarted, allowing partial resumption of fuel deliveries. However, a timeline for full restoration of the pipeline remains unavailable.

Airlines operating at Sea-Tac, including Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have implemented contingency plans such as carrying extra fuel on inbound flights and adding refueling stops to certain routes to mitigate potential disruptions during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.