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Department of Ecology News Release - November 6, 2006
06-227
Contacts:
BELLEVUE, Wash., (Nov. 6, 2006) - Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has been working with state and federal agencies since Friday, Nov. 3, to contain and clean up an estimated 18,000-gallon leak of diesel fuel from the company's backup electricity generator at the located on Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest land below the Crystal Mountain ski area in Pierce County.
Emergency cleanup crews from PSE, Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been working around the clock since the initial report of the spill to contain the diesel fuel and protect the nearby wetlands and Silver Creek.
The spill's cause is still under investigation.
On Sunday, Nov. 5, the fuel was observed in Silver Creek, which is approximately 1,200 feet from the spill site and about 15 miles upstream from the town of Greenwater, Wash.
On Monday, Nov. 6, state Ecology officials were concerned that an undetermined amount of diesel fuel had entered Silver Creek due to extraordinary rains and complex soil conditions at the spill site.
Silver Creek is an important salmon-bearing creek. State and tribal fish and wildlife officials have begun conducting wildlife surveys in the area and downstream of the spill site.
Working with the U.S. Forest Service, PSE on Nov. 3 notified homeowners in the area about the spill and recommended safety precautions such as bottled water.
In addition, PSE representatives and outside technical experts were available on Saturday, Nov. 4, during the Silver Creek Homeowners Association's annual meeting at the Greenwater Fire Department to answer questions and concerns about the spill.
Drivers are asked to use extra caution in the area, and responders are asking the public to avoid the area for safety reasons.
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About Puget Sound Energy Washington state's oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service territory stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) serves more than 1 million electric customers and 700,000 natural gas customers. PSE meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, low-cost procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. For more information, visit: www.pse.com.
Dept. of Ecology: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html
U.S. EPA: http://www.epa.gov/Region10/
USFS: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
