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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Olympic Pipeline to dig up portions of Seattle line
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7/30/2003 3:36:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Pipeline Company to dig up portions of suspected line
Mayor wants " proof entire line is safe"
SEATTLE -- Responding to safety concerns, Olympic Pipeline Company next week will excavate and inspect a portion of its line located 170 feet from a child care center at New Holly, Mayor Greg Nickels announced today.
The company will also excavate a portion of the line located 50 feet from the popular Ferdinand Pea Patch on Beacon Hill, the mayor said.
"This is a welcome first step, but it's only half of what we need," the mayor said. "These visual inspections of potential weak spots are a part of the safety measures I have demanded as proof that the pipeline is safe. That line runs past thousands of homes, businesses and two schools. With school about to start late next month, however, I want convincing proof that the entire line is safe. Without that proof, I will shut down that line on Aug. 26."
The mayor has also insisted that Olympic perform a high-pressure water test - what engineers call a hydrostatic test - to demonstrate that the entire 12.5 mile lateral, running from Renton to Harbor Island, is structurally sound. Olympic has conducted water-pressure tests in four other Washington cities, but so far has refused to conduct that test on the Seattle line. The Seattle line carries nearly 9 million gallons of fuel a week.
In a permit issued today to Olympic Pipeline, the City authorized the excavation of the two sites under the conditions that a city inspector be on site for the work and that Olympic give 24 hour notice to neighbors living within 500 feet of the proposed digs.
"The inspection digs are an acknowledgement of safety concerns with that line, but stop far short of what needs to be done," the mayor said.
It is expected that Olympic Pipe Line will begin the excavation and visual inspection of these anomalies next week. The City also expects Olympic Pipe Line to request a permit to conduct another excavation of the pipeline on the off-ramp of the Spokane Street Bridge to Harbor Island. The company is also working with the Port of Seattle for a permit to inspect a fourth location.
The mayor gave formal notice of his intention to shut down the pipeline in a June 27 letter to Bobby Talley, president of Olympic Pipe Line Company of Renton. Olympic is operator of a "lateral line" that carries petroleum fuels from Renton through South Seattle to a tank farm on Harbor Island.
Nickels based his decision on concerns about the pipeline's condition and the bankruptcy status of the operator. The company filed for bankruptcy in March.
On Tuesday, the mayor hosted a community event in the New Holly neighborhood to brief residents and business owners on issues around the pipeline. Many residents said they had been unaware of the pipeline's existence and urged the City to take a strong stand for public safety.
The following is a list of four anomalies (suspected problems) that Olympic Pipeline Co. has told the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission that it will inspect over the next several weeks. Testing by the company has revealed a total of 131 anomalies on the 12.5-mile line.
Anomaly 1
Location: In parking lot of 7058 32nd Ave SE just downstream of Myrtle on Seattle City Light Transmission Line Property.
Anomaly: Possible dent with metal loss on the bottom side of the pipe.
Status / Scheduled: Monday, August 4 or Tuesday, August 5 (2-3 days to complete)
Anomaly 2
Location: About 500 feet downstream of Columbia Dr (Closest Cross Street is Pearl) on Seattle City Light Transmission Line Property.
Anomaly: Slight metal loss that may impact the long seam.
Status / Status / Scheduled: Upon completion of work at Myrtle location.
Anomaly 3
Location: In the westbound off ramp of the West Seattle Freeway (Harbor Island Exit).
Anomaly: Possible dent with metal loss on the top side of the pipe.
Status / Scheduled: Work expected after the August 9 weekend.
Anomaly 4
Location: Sixty feet downstream of the South Port of Seattle Fence.
Anomaly: Slight metal loss that may impact long seam.
Status / Scheduled: Pending approval from the owner, Port of Seattle.
For more information and a map of the pipeline, visit the mayor's web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor.
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Office of the Mayor
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