Category Archives: News Updates

UPDATE #6: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 19, 2020 6:58 PM

UPDATE #6: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 19, 2020 6:58PM

As of approximately 6 p.m., August 19, 2020, the pipeline has been repaired.

Colonial appreciates the patience of the community, and we assure you that our priorities — the safety of people and protection of the environment — remain the same as we move into ongoing monitoring and remediation.

Our ongoing environmental monitoring and remediation efforts will be conducted under the guidance of NCDEQ. Colonial will continue to sample and test wells within a 2,000-foot radius of the product release, and individual results will be shared with landowners.

Colonial has also been monitoring air quality around the site since the release and all results indicate air quality is safe for the public.  We are also actively removing soil that was impacted by the spill for proper disposal.

Colonial remains committed to communicating with concerned citizens, local leaders and regulatory agencies. We continue to provide updates through our response website at https://sr2448.colonialresponse.com.  Residents are welcome to submit questions to Colonial through the site, and a Colonial representative will respond.

Colonial will work with the City of Huntersville and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to re-open Huntersville-Concord Road as quickly as possible.  At this time, a section of the road remains closed as we allow crews continued safe access to the site.  We will update the community as more information becomes available.

A temporary traffic detour around the work site via Glendale Drive, Ramah Church Road and Hiwassee Road remains in effect. Colonial is working with local residents to maintain access to residences impacted by the road closure.

Colonial appreciates the ongoing support of the Huntersville Fire Department, the Huntersville Police Department, the City of Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, and other response partners as we work together to ensure public safety and protection of the local environment.

The following summarizes and updates key response activities at this time:

  • The leak was stopped and the vast majority of the release has been recovered, with recovery continuing.
  • The pipeline will be restarted in accordance with Colonial’s operating procedures over the next several hours.
  • Colonial continues to operate in an Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure a well-managed response, in conjunction with the support and collaboration from local response partners.
  • A consistent open line of communication continues with local, state and federal agencies including the Huntersville Fire and Police Departments, the City of Huntersville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services, Charlotte Water, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, Mecklenburg Public Health, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Emergency Management, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV.
  • We are sharing environmental testing results with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, NC Department of Environmental Quality, and Mecklenburg County.
  • Mecklenburg County Public Health has been updated on the situation and has stated they do not believe there is any threat to potable drinking water wells.
  • Colonial has successfully implemented proactive measures to protect the closest surface waters, the North Prong of Clark Creek. These are precautionary measures and we continue to monitor the situation closely as we work with local and state resources. The creek is currently unaffected and is being closely monitored.
  • Colonial continues to reach out to local landowners to provide information on our response efforts.

About Colonial Pipeline:  Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military.  Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations.  More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

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UPDATE #5: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 18, 2020 5:55 PM

UPDATE #5: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 18, 2020 5:55 PM

More than 250 Colonial employees, contractors and personnel from the Huntersville Fire Department continue working 24 hours per day as part of an ongoing response effort in Huntersville, NC.  Repair plans are in place and crews are working to safely complete the work.

The safety of the public and response personnel and protecting the environment continue to be key priorities.  A section of Huntersville-Concord Road remains closed to allow crews safe access to the site.  The community will be notified when the work is complete and road re-opened.

Colonial Pipeline is actively working with local residents to sample and test wells within a 2,000 foot radius of the product release.  The radius was determined based on analysis of the location of homes in the area and also exceeds the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) established guideline of 500 feet.

Efforts to monitor the situation and narrow the scope of focus will be ongoing, and Colonial will be in communication with landowners in this area as results on their specific wells are provided.

Colonial is also sharing testing results with the U.S. EPA, the NCDEQ, and Mecklenburg County.

In addition, Mecklenburg County Public Health has been updated on the situation and plans to monitor the progress.  At this time, Public Health has stated they do not believe there is any threat to potable drinking water wells.

Colonial appreciates the ongoing support of the Huntersville Fire Department, the Huntersville Police Department and other response partners as we work together to ensure public safety and protection of the local environment.

The following summarizes and updates key response activities at this time:

  • The pipeline remains shut down and road closures are in place to ensure a safe work environment and the safety of the public.
  • Crews are onsite and are actively working to control and monitor the source so that clean-up and repairs can continue.
  • Colonial has worked with the Huntersville Police Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to establish the road closure of Huntersville-Concord Road between Lawther Road and Asbury Chapel Road, and provide a temporary traffic detour around the work site via Glendale Drive, Ramah Church Road and Hiwassee Road.
  • Colonial is working with local residents to maintain local access to residences impacted by the road closure.
  • Colonial has established an Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure a well-managed response, in conjunction with the support and collaboration from local response partners.
  • An open line of communication has been established with several local, state and federal agencies including the Huntersville Fire and Police Departments, the City of Huntersville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services, Charlotte Water, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, Mecklenburg Public Health, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Emergency Management, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV.
  • Colonial Pipeline estimates that approximately 63,000 gallons (1,500 barrels) of gasoline was released from the line. The majority of the product was recovered as it was being released.
  • Colonial has implemented proactive environmental protection efforts including air quality monitoring and water quality sampling.
  • Colonial has successfully implemented proactive measures to protect the closest surface waters, the North Prong of Clark Creek. These are precautionary measures and we continue to monitor the situation closely as we work with local and state resources. The creek is currently unaffected and is being closely monitored.
  • Colonial has reached out to local landowners to provide information on our response efforts in their area.

Additional updates will be posted to the Colonial website at https://sr2448.colonialresponse.com as new information becomes available. All future notices regarding this situation will be posted to this site.

About Colonial Pipeline:  Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military.  Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations.  More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

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UPDATE #4: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 17, 2020 6:00 PM

The safety of the public and response personnel and protecting the environment continue to be key priorities as work crews continue to operate on a 24-hour schedule as part of efforts to repair a pipeline in Huntersville, NC.  A section of Huntersville-Concord Road remains closed to allow crews safe access to the site.

Nearly 200 Colonial employees, contractors and the Huntersville Fire Department personnel are part of the response effort.

Colonial appreciates the ongoing support of the Huntersville Fire Department, the Huntersville Police Department and other response partners as we work together to ensure public safety and protection of the local environment.

 The following summarizes and updates key response activities at this time:

  •  The pipeline segment remains shut down at this time and road closures are in place to ensure a safe work environment and the safety of the public.
  • Crews are onsite and are actively working to control and monitor the source so that clean-up and repairs can begin as needed.
  • Colonial has worked with the Huntersville Police Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to establish the road closure of Huntersville-Concord Road between Lawther Road and Asbury Chapel Road, and provide a temporary traffic detour around the work site via Glendale Drive, Ramah Church Road and Hiwassee Road.
  • Colonial is working with local residents to maintain local access to residences impacted by the road closure.
  • Colonial has established an Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure a well-managed response, in conjunction with the support and collaboration from local response partners.
  • An open line of communication has been established with several state and local agencies including the Huntersville Fire and Police Departments, the City of Huntersville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, Mecklenburg Public Health, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Colonial Pipeline estimates that 63,000 gallons of gasoline have been released from the line, and the majority of the product was recovered as it was being released.
  • Colonial has implemented proactive environmental protection efforts including air quality monitoring and water quality sampling.
  • Colonial is actively working with local residents to sample and test wells. Mecklenburg County Public Health has been updated on the situation and plans to monitor the progress.  At this time, Public Health does not believe there is any threat to potable drinking water wells.
  • Colonial has successfully implemented proactive measures to protect the closest surface waters, the North Prong of Clark Creek. These are precautionary measures and we continue to monitor the situation closely as we work with local and state resources. The creek is currently unaffected and is being closely monitored.
  • Colonial has reached out to local landowners to provide information on our response efforts in their area.

Additional updates will be posted to the Colonial website at https://sr2448.colonialresponse.com as new information becomes available. All future notices regarding this situation will be posted to this site.

 About Colonial Pipeline:  Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military.  Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations.  More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

 

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UPDATE #3: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 16, 2020 4:30 PM

Colonial Pipeline continues to work diligently in a coordinated response effort, keeping safety and environmental protection at the forefront.

Colonial has established an Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure a well-orchestrated response, in conjunction with the support and collaboration from our local response partners.  The pipeline remains shut down as Colonial crews are working 24 hours a day.

The company appreciates the ongoing support of the Huntersville Fire Department, the Huntersville Police Department and other response partners as we work together to ensure public safety and protection of the local environment.

The following summarizes key response activities at this time:

  • Colonial has reached out to local landowners to provide information on our response efforts in their area.
  • Notifications have been made to local, state and federal agencies, per Colonial’s response procedure and regulatory requirements.
  • Crews are onsite and are actively working to control and monitor the source so that clean-up and repairs can begin, as needed.
  • Colonial has worked with the Huntersville Police Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to establish a road closure of Huntersville-Concord Road between Lawther Road and Asbury Chapel Road, and provide a temporary traffic detour around the work site via Glendale Drive, Ramah Church Road and Hiwassee Road.
  • Colonial is working with local residents to maintain local access to residences impacted by the road closure.
  • Air quality monitoring has been set up by Colonial as part of our standard response protocols. Air quality in the surrounding area has been deemed safe, and monitoring will continue.

Additional updates will be posted to the Colonial website at https://sr2448.colonialresponse.com as new information becomes available. All future notices regarding this situation will be posted to this site.

About Colonial Pipeline:  Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military.  Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations.  More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

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UPDATE #2: Colonial Pipeline – SR2448 Response August 15, 2020 7:00 PM

At approximately 5:42 p.m., on Friday, August 14, 2020, Colonial Pipeline responded to a report of a product release near our gasoline pipeline in the area of Huntersville, North Carolina. Upon notification, the pipeline was shut down and crews were dispatched to the site.

The pipeline remains shut down at this time while Colonial crews, in conjunction with first responders from the Huntersville Fire Department and Huntersville Police Department, work together on this coordinated response.  Our primary focus is maintaining the safety of responders and the public, and the protection of the environment.

The following summarizes key response activities at this time:

  • Notifications have been made to local, state and federal agencies, per Colonial’s response procedure and regulatory requirements.
  • Crews are onsite and are actively working to control and monitor the source so that clean-up and repairs can begin, as needed.
  • The Huntersville Fire Department is onsite to assist Colonial.
  • The Huntersville Police Department is onsite securing the site and providing traffic control.
  • Colonial has worked with the Huntersville Police Department to establish a road closure along Huntersville-Concord Road between Lawther Road and Asbury Chapel Road, and temporary traffic detours around the work site via Glendale Drive.
  • Colonial is working with the Huntersville Police Department and local residents to maintain local access to residences impacted by the road closure.
  • Air monitoring has been set up by Colonial. Air quality in the surrounding area has been deemed safe, and monitoring will continue.
  • Colonial is collaborating with local agencies as we work together to protect the safety of all and the local environment.

Additional updates will be posted to the Colonial website at https://sr2448.colonialresponse.com as new information becomes available. All future notices regarding this situation will be posted to this site.

About Colonial Pipeline:  Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military.  Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations.  More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

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UPDATE #1 – SR2448 Response, August 14, 10 p.m. EST

At approximately 5:42 p.m., Colonial Pipeline responded to a report of a product release near our pipeline in the area of Huntersville, North Carolina. The pipeline has been shut down, and first responders were dispatched to the area. Notifications have been made to local, state and federal agencies, per Colonial’s standard response procedure and regulatory requirements. Additional updates will be forthcoming.