CHICAGO — EPA is serving as the federal on-scene coordinator for the emergency response to the oil spill released into the Ohio River, according to a press release.
Approximately 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the river from Duke Energy’s Beckjord power plant, and operations are underway to contain and clean up the oil along a 12 mile expanse of the Ohio River, stated the release.
Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, EPA has the responsibility for inland oil spills and is directing response efforts carried out by Duke Energy, reported the release.
“[The EPA,] U.S. Coast Guard and [Ohio Environmental Protection Agency] quickly mobilized and are taking a series of steps to minimize the damage this spill does to the Ohio River and surrounding communities,” said EPA Incident Commander Steven Renninger. “EPA is on the scene to ensure the leaked oil is contained and cleaned up as quickly and effectively as possible.”
As a precaution, the Greater Cincinnati Waterworks and the Northern Kentucky Water District each have closed drinking water intakes on the Ohio River, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is conducting water sampling, noted the release.
Read the entire release here.
