Hanford Mission Integration Solutions employees, from left, Ryan Akers, Elaine Jimenez, Gary Karnofski, and Barbara Winters reviewed hundreds of oil spill response plans as part of an interagency agreement between DOE and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Ryan Akers, Elaine Jimenez, Gary Karnofski, and Barbara Winters reviewed hundreds of oil spill response plans as part of an interagency agreement between DOE and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

RICHLAND, Wash. – An oil-spill facility-response plan reviewed by the team at Hanford’s Volpentest Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response (HAMMER) Federal Training Center proved critical to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Armed with that plan, the DOT responded to a southern California pipeline rupture that sent 3,000 barrels of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean in September.

Managed by EM Richland Operations Office (RL) contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, HAMMER provides training and response expertise to the DOT through an interagency agreement with DOE.

The HAMMER team assisted DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by developing standard operating procedures on how to effectively review oil spill response plans. Ranging in length from 250 to 600 pages, the plans include procedures designed to minimize environmental damage. Those responding to the ruptured pipeline consulted the response plan the HAMMER team reviewed.

“This partnership reduces the risk of disruptive events that could potentially impact the health of the environment and public safety,” said Angela Stoddard, RL program manager. “We value the detailed work by this team in helping our federal partners respond to a myriad of national incidents, like this one.”

The maroon lines in the center of the graphic indicate the location of pipelines in southern California, the location of a recent oil spill
The maroon lines in the center of the graphic indicate the location of pipelines in southern California, the location of a recent oil spill.

In recent years, four HAMMER staffers have evaluated over 500 plans covering hundreds of facilities nationwide. Facility response plans include written procedures all U.S. pipeline owners and operators must develop and follow in the event of a worst-case scenario resulting from an oil spill.

“This incident is another example of the important work you (HAMMER) do each day to make sure oil spill plans are ready for action at a moment’s notice,” said Rick Raksnis, DOT supervisor for the pipeline administration. “I felt very proud to know that our team stands behind the quality and content of this plan, as well as 530 more. It was reassuring to know that the plan included complete information to help implement a strategy.”

In recent years, four HAMMER staffers have evaluated over 500 plans covering hundreds of facilities nationwide. Facility response plans include written procedures all U.S. pipeline owners and operators must develop and follow in the event of a worst-case scenario resulting from an oil spill.

“This incident is another example of the important work you (HAMMER) do each day to make sure oil spill plans are ready for action at a moment’s notice,” said Rick Raksnis, DOT supervisor for the pipeline administration. “I felt very proud to know that our team stands behind the quality and content of this plan, as well as 530 more. It was reassuring to know that the plan included complete information to help implement a strategy.”

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