hydrocarbon pollution
Newsletter
Some Oklahoma oil companies demand refunds from a fund meant to clean up orphan wells
Oklahoma’s oil industry contributes to a voluntary fund for cleaning up abandoned oil wells, but many major companies are requesting refunds, diverting millions of dollars from crucial environmental efforts.
Mark Olalde reports for ProPublica and Nick Bowlin reports for Capital & Main.
In short:
- Oklahoma oil companies pay into a voluntary fund to clean up orphan wells, but major companies like Ovintiv and Chesapeake Energy are opting out, receiving more than $11 million in refunds in the last seven years.
- Refunds have significantly reduced the funds available for well restoration, preventing cleanup of an estimated 1,500 additional orphan sites that pose environmental risks.
- Industry groups are negotiating legislative changes that might further undermine the fund, potentially leading to fewer resources for cleanup efforts across the state.
Key quote:
“Once it’s paid in, it ought to be there permanently.”
— Don Scott, Oklahoma farmer
Why this matters:
Who ultimately pays the price for the oil industry’s leftovers, and what happens when industry commitments don't match the scale of the problem? Read more: What happens if the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the US goes bankrupt?
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Tanker sinks in Manila Bay, sparking fears of major oil spill
A Philippine oil tanker sank in Manila Bay, potentially causing a major spill, after being battered by waves, prompting the coast guard to rescue 16 of 17 crew members.
In short:
- The Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank after battling huge waves.
- Aerial surveys show a 2.3-mile oil spill near the sinking site, but it might be engine fuel, not cargo oil.
- The coast guard is preparing for potential shoreline contamination in Manila and considering siphoning the fuel.
Key quote:
“There’s a big danger that Manila would be affected, its shorelines, if the fuel leaks because this happened within Manila Bay. It’s part of the contingency we’re preparing for. The effect on the marine environment would not be good.”
— Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, Coast Guard spokesperson
Why this matters:
This isn't just an interruption in the local maritime traffic; it's a potential environmental nightmare. An oil spill in Manila Bay could devastate marine life, send fishing communities into crisis and spawn health risks that could ripple far beyond the bay itself. Read more: Numerous miles-long oil spills have been reported on one of Pittsburgh’s iconic three rivers.
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Newsletter
Pipeline project impacts Indigenous sacred site, fueling legal battle
The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project through British Columbia's sacred Pípsell region sparked opposition from the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation over violation of Indigenous Rights and sacred spaces.
In short:
- Despite previous agreements, the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation claims the project violates Secwépemc law and infringes on Aboriginal Title.
- The nation argues the approval to trench through Pípsell bypasses proper consultation and disrupts cultural and spiritual practices.
- The case could set a precedent on Indigenous land rights versus industrial projects.
Key quote:
"They dug through the medicines. They made roads over it. They parked all their stuff on it."
— Mike McKenzie, Secwépemc Knowledge Keeper
Why this matters:
The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion highlights the tension between government and Indigenous land rights, potentially impacting future projects and influencing how nations protect their sacred spaces. Read more: Why Indigenous women are risking arrest to fight Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline through Minnesota.
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The lasting impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill on marine life
A recent expedition to the Gulf of Mexico has revealed ongoing environmental damage from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, showing little signs of recovery for the marine ecosystem.
In short:
- Fourteen years after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, marine life at the site continues to exhibit signs of distress, including discolored and injured crabs.
- The seabed remains largely devoid of its usual inhabitants like sea cucumbers and corals, indicating a slow recovery process.
- While some new life forms are beginning to appear on the wreckage, the overall biodiversity remains significantly reduced compared to pre-disaster levels.
Key quote:
"We may not actually ever see recovery,"
— Craig McClain, deep-sea biologist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Why this matters:
The persistent environmental damage highlighted by this expedition underscores the long-term impacts of oil spills on marine ecosystems. Read more: Unplugged: Abandoned oil and gas wells leave the ocean floor spewing methane.
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British Columbia's handling of hazardous spills falls short, audit reveals
British Columbia's preparedness for hazardous spills is inadequate, with outdated response plans and insufficient compliance oversight, an audit finds.
Amanda Follett Hosgood and Andrew MacLeod report for The Tyee.
In short:
- The audit highlighted that B.C.'s spill response plans are not current, there's a lack of procedures for identifying non-compliance, and First Nations are not consistently informed of spills.
- Nearly $14 million in costs from spills remains unrecovered, mainly from the bankrupt Neucel pulp mill, with the government only recovering a fraction of non-Neucel related costs.
- The Ministry of Environment has accepted nine recommendations from the audit, aiming to improve the province's management of hazardous spills.
Key quote:
"The program is designed for there to be consequences, but those responsible for spills don’t comply with the law."
— Michael Pickup, B.C. auditor general
Why this matters:
This audit reveals significant gaps in British Columbia's preparedness and response to such incidents, underlining the need for urgent reforms to safeguard communities and ecosystems from potential disasters. Effective management of hazardous spills is crucial for protecting public health and the environment.
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Top Story
The looming cost of unaddressed oil well closures
As the oil industry faces a downturn, unplugged oil and gas wells present significant environmental and financial challenges, potentially burdening taxpayers with the cleanup bill.
Mark Olalde and Nick Bowlin report for ProPublica and Capital & Main.
In short:
- More than 2 million unplugged wells across the U.S. pose environmental hazards and contribute significantly to climate change through methane emissions.
- The financial provisions for well cleanup cover less than 2% of the estimated costs, leaving a substantial financial burden on taxpayers.
- Regulatory loopholes and insufficient enforcement allow companies to evade cleanup responsibilities, exacerbating the problem.
Key quote:
"The data presents an urgent call to action for state regulators and the Department of the Interior to swiftly and effectively update bond amounts."
— Shannon Anderson, organizing director of the Powder River Basin Resource Council
Why this matters:
The environmental and financial fallout from unplugged oil and gas wells affects public health and climate change indicating a pressing need for policy reforms to protect both the environment and taxpayer interests. Lax oversight and accounting sleights-of-hand help to make passing the buck on abandoned oil and gas wells a persistent and pernicious burden on the public good.
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Newsletter
Canada’s tar sands are a much larger source of air pollution than previously thought, study says
The research, published in Science, found the oil operations are releasing vast quantities of compounds that can cause localized air pollution and form damaging particles that can travel across the continent.
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