Emergencies declared for Oregon, Washington for Olympic Pipeline shutdown

SALEM – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a statewide state of emergency Monday following the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline, which supplies the state with the majority of its refined petroleum products.

The pipeline was shut down Nov. 17 after a fuel release was discovered in Snohomish County, Washington.

Kotek’s executive order noted that Oregon receives more than 90% of its petroleum products—including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel—from refineries in the Puget Sound area, with the pipeline being a primary transport route

The declaration activates the state’s comprehensive emergency management plan. Key state departments were directed to take immediate action:

• The Department of Emergency Management will oversee the emergency plan activation.

• The Department of Energy will lead emergency support for fuels, coordinating distribution to essential services and acting as a liaison with the fuel industry.

• The Department of Transportation was directed to provide regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operators, including temporary waivers for state-regulated hours-of-service requirements.

Meanwhile, AAA reported in its weekly gas price release that while prices remain generally calm ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the state average has “ticked up” due to the pipeline outage.

AAA’s release also reported that pipeline operator, BP, was reportedly able to find the source of the leak and partially restarted the system Tuesday.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared an emergency on Nov. 19, temporarily suspending state regulations on commercial vehicle hours for drivers transporting jet fuel. Officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have also implemented operational adjustments, asking incoming airliners to arrive with full fuel tanks.

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Elkhorn Media Group