Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Emily Randall (WA-06), Adam Smith (WA-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) called on BP to answer questions surrounding the November leak of the Olympic Pipeline in Snohomish County.

The leak released a reported 2,300 gallons of fuel into Snohomish County waterways and soil, and temporarily cut off fuel delivery to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for nearly two weeks, causing flight disruptions.  

“While we are relieved that the pipeline is now operational, this malfunction jeopardized airline operations, farmlands, water safety, wildlife habitat, and public health. Further, we are concerned because this spill is part of a decades-long history of spills and ruptures in the Olympic Pipeline,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to BP North America CEO Murray Auchincloss.

BP has agreed to brief the lawmakers on the leak and its impact on the region. The lawmakers outlined several outstanding questions they would like addressed and answered in writing by January 8, 2026:

1.     What volume of refined products did the November 11, 2025 leak release?

2.     What efforts are BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline undertaking to determine the full extent of refined products that may have leaked into surrounding water sources or soil?

3.     Provide an outline of BP’s plan to remediate any contamination, including the timeline for these activities and an assessment of local businesses or residences impacted.

4.     Do you commit to timely public disclosure of all spill data, such as volume, location, environmental sampling results, and remediation efforts, for review by public and relevant state and local agencies? If so, what is your projected timeline for this information disclosure?

5.     Provide a complete list of spills and volume spilled since November 25, 2005 from any pipelines owned by BP in Washington State.

6.     What corrective measures will BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline take to reduce future spill risk?

7.     Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to determine the cause of the leak and make any necessary corrective actions?

8.     Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Department of Ecology for assessment of the extent of the spill as well as all clean-up operations?

9.     The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $3.8 million fine for the 2023 Olympic Pipeline leak in Conway, WA. Following that leak, how did BP update its monitoring and maintenance practices?

10.  Since the 2023 leak in Conway, has BP found any other leaks along the Olympic pipeline? Is there a connection between the 2023 leak in Conway, or any subsequent leaks, and this one?

11.  Governor Ferguson’s emergency declaration following the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline highlights the need to develop further emergency plans to service airline operation needs in the event of future fuel incidents. Do you commit to working with the state and relevant transit authorities to address emergency planning needs?

“Given the history of the Olympic Pipeline, Washington residents must have confidence that BP is treating this most recent leak with all due seriousness. The Olympic Pipeline is an essential piece of infrastructure to our region. We hope you share our goal of ensuring that it is also reliable and secure for the sake of the Pacific Northwest’s residents and environment,” the lawmakers continued.

There have already been three significant incidents with the pipeline since 2023, and this leak could be the fourth if it meets federal criteria. This includes the December 2023 leak near Conway for which BP was recently fined $3.8 million by Washington state.

A copy of the letter can be found here.