SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update this afternoon regarding its ongoing response to a product release in Shelby County, Alabama, and the interruption of service to Line 1, which transports gasoline from refiners on the Gulf Coast to delivery locations in the Southeast and along the Eastern seaboard.
Upon receiving approval from Unified Command, Colonial Pipeline has begun to execute its alternative plan to construct a bypass line around the leak site to allow Line 1 to return to service as rapidly and safely as possible. This plan has been reviewed by all appropriate federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As this plan is implemented, the top priority of the unified response team remains the safety and protection of the public, responders, and the environment. Remediation efforts at the initial release site will also continue as conditions are deemed safe.
The EPA has also issued a second waiver to allow for reformulated and conventional gasoline to be sold in markets that may be impacted by the disruption in supply caused by the disruption in service to Colonial Pipeline Line 1. This waiver is effective immediately through October 6, 2016.
The Cahaba Wildlife Management Area between State Highway 270 and Copperhead Road will remain closed to all non-local residents and is expected to remain closed during this response effort. The Cahaba Wildlife Management Shooting Range and access to ATV trails in the area also remain closed.
