The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(BALTIMORE) — The Coast Guard, along with local agencies, are responding to a mineral oil spill in the Potomac River near Alexandria, Va., Monday.
Pepco employees notified the Coast Guard Sunday at 12:40 p.m., reporting approximately 5,000 gallons of mineral oil was believed to have leaked from a transformer at the Pepco substation in Alexandria. It was also reported, that an additional 500 gallons had leaked into the Potomac River.
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore’s Incident Management Division personnel arrived on scene at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday and conducted a shoreline assessment of the area.
Triumvirate Environmental and Clean Harbors have been hired by Pepco to contain and dispose of the oil. The oil that reached the waterway has been contained by boom.
“As the lead agency for oil spills in the coastal zone, we will continue to work with the responsible party to ensure that the cleanup is conducted,†said Senior Chief Petty Officer David Studie, a marine science technician at Sector Baltimore.
The cause of the spill is under investigation.
