Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued the following statement concerning the Olympic Pipeline shutdown.
“The Olympic Pipeline is a lifeline for Washington state. This shutdown is nothing short of an emergency, and I appreciate Gov. Ferguson’s swift action to ensure jet fuel continues to be delivered safely to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week.
“The effects of this fuel leak and shutdown cannot be overstated. I’m deeply worried about the potential air travel disruptions and price increases we’ll see at the pump right before Thanksgiving, as well as any environmental harm the leak may cause to Snohomish County’s wildlife, waters, and farmland. BP must work quickly with our state and federal partners to contain, clean, and fix the leak so the pipeline can safely resume normal operations.
“Pipeline disruptions are unpredictable, but they shouldn’t catch us off guard. We must focus on building a stronger fuel supply chain to ensure continuity of operations during emergencies. That includes investing in Washington’s innovative biofuel industry so we can use homegrown fuels to make our supply chain more resilient, reduce our carbon emissions, and propel our state toward a cleaner future.”
