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Exxon executive report of response time to pipeline spill in Montana differs from reality
Robin Greenwald of Weitz & Luxenberg’s Environmental Pollution division offers compassion and legal support to those affected by Exxon’s oil spill on July 1st. Robin worked on the Exxon Bayway, New Jersey, ruptured pipeline, and the Colonial Pipeline burst in Greensboro during her time at the Department of Justice. She is a liaison counsel against Exxon and other petroleum companies in MTBE litigation, and is also on the BP Plaintiff Steering Committee. Greenwald knows how to get compensation to the people affected by oil spills swiftly and effectively. Although Exxon’s response to the incident may lag, Weitz & Luxenberg will always be hard at work making sure your needs are met.
Exxon’s response to the ruptured pipeline
It took a total of 56 minutes for Exxon Mobil to shut off the pipeline that was spilling oil into the Yellowstone River in Montana on July 1st, 2011. Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. President Gary Pruessing reported to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer that it took only 30 minutes. The difference in response time was questioned by the Department of Transportation, and an Exxon spokesperson claimed that the 30-minute time was given probably because Gary Pruessing was speaking without notes (1).
As more evidence surfaces about the history of the pipeline, the difference in reported response time after the spill takes a backseat to the failed response time after a warning about the pipeline’s possibility of failure a year ago. In 2010, the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a warning to Exxon concerning oil leaking from some of the valves on the pipeline.
"There was fresh crude oil on the soil immediately adjacent to the valves," wrote PHMSA in the letter (2). The letter also detailed six other violations – one of which was for faulty emergency response and pipeline corrosion training (3). Apparently, Exxon had heeded PHMSA’s warnings and the case had been closed.
"Inspectors are on site and have initiated an investigation into the cause of failure," said a PHMSA spokeswoman shortly after the July 1st, 2011 spill.
Exxon is now responsible for the cleanup of approximately 1,000 barrels of crude oil, which is now making its way down the river and crossing state lines.
So far, there is no telling how many people will be affected by the oil spill. Montana locals are already making public statements about being forced from their homes because of the toxic fumes emitted by the crude oil. One resident says that the oil traveled from the river, across his yard, and into a crawlspace underneath his home. He is skeptical that Exxon will be able to clean it up anytime soon, if at all (4).
Weitz & Luxenberg’s response
Weitz & Luxenberg believe that individuals such as yourself are entitled to compensation for the physical, mental, and financial hardship caused by the Exxon pipeline spill. Our response to this disaster is to reach out to the people of Montana and offer legal support during this time.
Contact us immediately if you have:
- Been seriously injured
- Had property damage
- Had damage to crops and/or livestock
- Been forced to evacuate your home
You may contact Weitz & Luxenberg by filling out the form on this page. After submitting the form, we will contact you within 24 hours with free legal advice and instructions on how you can start the process of pursuing financial compensation for your losses.
Sources
1: http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/event/article/id/49290/group/Montana/
2: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/us-investigating-exxon-pipeline-prior-problems-found
4: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/06/us-oilspill-montana-idUSTRE7646DX20110706
see also:
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