The Bridger Pipeline Co. has released new estimates about the amount of oil leaking into the Yellowstone River. The company has indicated that up to 50,000 gallons of crude oil have entered the river from a burst in an oil pipeline in Montana.
The pipeline burst occurred early Saturday morning. Local residents have already reported adverse conditions due to the spilled oil. There have been reports of tap water tasting and smelling like oil. Federal and state officials have been conducting tests in the areas closest to the contaminated water. It has been confirmed that in the town of Glendive oil has made its way into the public water system.
Clean drinking water is being trucked into Glendive as the residents have asked to avoid drinking tap water for the time being. Bridger Pipeline Co. has issued a statement regarding the spill through its Vice President, Tad True. True stated, “Our primary concern is to minimize the environmental impact of the release and keep our responders safe as we clean up from this unfortunate incident.”
Attempts to clean up the Yellowstone River have been hampered by less than optimal weather conditions. The river is current iced over trapping the oil under a thick layer of ice and snow. This area has been hampered with oil spills in recent years. Less than four years ago an ExxonMobile pipeline burst and spilled 63,000 gallons of oil into the same river. The company is currently facing fines in excess of $3 million due to the damage from the 2011 spill.