NOTE: This relates to the events now playing out in Mayflower, Arkansas, which may well be prove to be a pivot point for action on the XL Pipeline and fracking.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3rd, 2013
Contact: Glen Hooks
MAY 02, 2013
EXXON CONCEALS RESULTS OF 2013 PEGASUS PIPELINE INSPECTION
The
following is an open letter to Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil CEO.
Dear Mr.
Tillerson:
It's now
been more than a month since the ExxonMobil Pegasus pipeline ruptured and spewed
more than 200,000 gallons of tar sands crude into the neighborhoods and
waterways of Mayflower, Arkansas. More than 20 families were evacuated and
remain out of their homes. Federal documents show that less than half of the
crude has been recovered, and there are conflicting reports about whether the
crude has made it into Lake Conway and beyond. Mayflower residents in the
immediate spill area and beyond are intensely and justifiably concerned about
both the short and long-term health effects of the spill on their families.
Their concerns are elevated even higher by yesterday's news of another Pegasus pipeline spill in our neighboring state of
Missouri.
Today, a
group of federal, state, and local officials gathered in Little Rock to discuss
the risks of the Pegasus pipeline to Arkansas's capital city. The aging Pegasus
pipeline runs through 13.6 miles of the Lake Maumelle watershed, which is the
drinking water source for 400,000 people in central Arkansas. The discussion
centered largely around options for either removing the Pegasus pipeline from
the watershed or, failing that, how to dramatically improve the safety of the
pipeline. ExxonMobil was invited to the meeting but did not send a
representative. Further, officials at the meeting repeatedly noted that
ExxonMobil has yet to provide information and answers to questions that have
been asked of the corporation.
Arkansans
deserve answers from ExxonMobil. Families have been out of their homes
for more than a month. Mayflower's land and waterways are fouled, children and
others have become sick from exposure, and hundreds of animals and birds have
been killed or sickened after coming in contact with the spilled crude. Our
health, safety, and environment are at risk in Mayflower and beyond.
We need answers to the following questions:
1. Pipelines
such as Pegasus are required to be fully inspected at least once every five
years. ExxonMobil completed an inspection of Pegasus in 2010, and then did
another inspection in February of 2013 -- one month prior to the pipeline rupture in
Mayflower. The results of that inspection have been requested, but not
released by ExxonMobil even though it is now May.
Did
the results of ExxonMobil's 2013 pipeline inspection show that Pegasus was in
good condition?
Did
the inspection show any problems with Pegasus?
Specifically,
did the inspection reveal any problems with the portion of Pegasus that ruptured
in Mayflower?
Did
the inspection reveal any problem with the portion of Pegasus that leaked in
Missouri this week?
If
so, what steps did ExxonMobil take to remedy those problems?
If
the inspection in February 2013 did not show any problems prior to the
Mayflower rupture and Missouri leak, are you concerned that your inspection
efforts were substandard?
When
will you release the February 2013 inspection data?
2.
ExxonMobil has given fairly rosy assessments of cleanup progress for the
estimated 210,000 gallons of tar sands in the spill (5,000 barrels). On April 18th, ExxonMobil stated that it expects the cleanup to be
complete in "two to three weeks." However, according to an Accident Incident
Report dated April 26th and filed with the federal pipeline safety agency, ExxonMobil estimates that it has recovered only 2,000 barrels of
the spilled crude -- less than half (pdf).
Completion
of the cleanup means making Mayflower whole again. That means completely
removing the spill from the subdivision, the land, the waterways, and associated
marshland. What is a realistic date for this cleanup to be
completed?
3.
ExxonMobil has been invited on several occasions to meet with Arkansas officials
since the spill, including meetings of the Central Arkansas Water board of
directors, the Pulaski County Quorum Court, and today's meeting in Little Rock
with numerous state/local/federal officials. ExxonMobil declined to send a
representative to meet with any of these bodies. Since the spill, there have
been numerous demands--formal and informal--for Exxon to move the Pegasus
pipeline out of the Lake Maumelle watershed. Calls to move the pipeline have
come from Central Arkansas Water, the Pulaski County Quorum Court, the City of
Little Rock, and U.S. Congressman Tim Griffin, to name a few. In addition,
Central Arkansas Water asked ExxonMobil to take numerous short and long term
actions to protect the Lake Maumelle watershed. ExxonMobil has not yet responded
to any of the resolutions.
Exxon
Mobil is one of the largest multinational corporations in the entire world,
employing tens of thousands of people, yet cannot seem to find one spare person
to sit down with officials in Central Arkansas. Why has ExxonMobil declined to
meet with these bodies to discuss the risks that its aging Pegasus pipeline may
pose to the drinking water of 400,000 Central Arkansans?
When
will you respond to the resolutions, especially the resolution from Central
Arkansas Water asking for specific long and short term safety improvements?
The
Mayflower rupture was an event that has forever changed the complexion and
future of an Arkansas community. Handling the aftermath in a thorough and
transparent manner will go a long way into restoring this community. We need
answers and we need your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Glen
Hooks
Sierra Club
of Arkansas
Lifelong
Arkansan
Glen Hooks, Senior Campaign Representative
Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign
1308 West 2nd Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 301-8280 (office)
(501) 744-2674 (cell)
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