Feds Order Gaviota Oil Pipeline Shut Down

The federal regulatory agency responsible for pipeline safety ordered the ruptured Plains All American pipeline responsible for the leak shut down immediately, without giving Plains All American prior notice or opportunity of appeal. In a nine page decree issued May 21, Jeffrey Wiese–Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety with the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration–wrote, “I find that continued operation of the pipeline without corrective measures is or would be hazardous to life, property, or the environment.” In addition, Wiese stated, “I find that a failure to issue this Order expeditiously to require immediate corrective action would result in the likelihood of serious harm to life, property or the environment.”

The complete text of the order is provided below.