Huntersville
Colonial Pipeline now says it spilled 2 million gallons of gasoline in NC — 31 times greater than original estimates
This story has been updated with further response from Colonial. Colonial Pipeline has announced it spilled 2 million gallons of gasoline in Huntersville — 31 times greater than original estimates, and now the largest onshore accident in U.S. history. The spill happened nearly two years ago, on Aug. 14, 2020, in the Oehler Nature Preserve […]
Colonial Pipeline would pay $4.75 million in fines, according to proposed consent order with DEQ
Colonial Pipeline will pay a $4.75 million fine in connection with a massive gasoline spill in in 2020 in Huntersville, according to a proposed consent order between the company and the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The document was filed in Mecklenburg Superior Court, where a judge would have to approve the order. The hearing […]
Colonial Pipeline buying more land near massive gasoline spill in Huntersville
Colonial Pipeline has bought yet more property in Huntersville, near the site of North Carolina’s largest gasoline spill in history — 25.8 acres for nearly $1.7 million, according to Mecklenburg County real estate records. This brings the total spent by the company on property buyouts near the spill site to roughly $2.5 million. The purchase, […]
DEQ takes legal action against Colonial Pipeline over Huntersville gasoline spill
The NC Department of Environmental Quality is taking Colonial Pipeline to court for allegedly “failing to meet their obligations” in its clean up of a 1.29-million gallon gasoline spill in Huntersville, the nation’s largest such accident since 1991. According to the complaint, filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, Colonial has failed to provide DEQ with […]
DEQ cites Colonial Pipeline for continuing violations regarding Huntersville gasoline spill, the fourth such notice this year
The NC Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Notice of Continuing Violation to Colonial Pipeline regarding with ongoing contamination from a major gasoline spill in Huntersville. The spill, which occurred in August 2020, released an estimated 1,289,190 gallons of product, equivalent to 30,695 barrels, the nation’s largest such spill onshore since at least 1997. However, […]
Colonial Pipeline cuts deal with federal pipeline officials over Huntersville gasoline spill
Colonial Pipeline has signed a consent agreement with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which allows the company to avoid federal civil penalties in connection with a 1.2 million gallon gasoline spill in Huntersville — the largest onshore fuel spill in the U.S. since 1997. According to the consent agreement, Colonial “neither admits nor […]
Colonial Pipeline gasoline spill larger, contamination deeper than previously estimated
New estimates by Colonial Pipeline, responsible for the largest gasoline spill in North Carolina history, show that at least more gasoline escaped from a broken pipeline in Huntersville last summer. The company previous estimated 1.2 million gallons were released; a new estimate is still being calculated. To illustrate the amount of gasoline that was spilled, […]
After Huntersville gasoline spill investigation, feds say Colonial Pipeline’s entire 5,500-mile route could pose public safety, environmental risks
Federal investigators have warned Colonial Pipeline that because of poor operational procedures, the company’s entire 5,500-mile pipeline could jeopardize public safety, property or the environment. A 1.2 million-gallon gasoline spill in Huntersville, which occurred last summer, prompted the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to investigate Colonial’s operation and maintenance systems. Problems identified in the […]
Mystery deepens over origin of dangerous chemicals found at massive gasoline spill
Colonial Pipeline's own tests indicate high levels of PFAS that could be linked to clean-up efforts, but state regulators say they need more data Mysterious discrepancies in test results between Colonial Pipeline and the NC Department of Environmental Quality have raised questions about the origin of toxic perfluorinated compounds — PFAS — found in material used at a major gasoline spill in Huntersville.
DEQ: Colonial Pipeline report “lacks critical information,” state cites company with Notice of Continuing Violation
This story has been corrected to remove this sentence: “Because of fire suppressants used during the initial spill emergency, it is likely that the groundwater contains toxic perfluorinated compounds, or PFAS, according to previous statements by DEQ.” Colonial responded and said the suppressants did not contain PFAS. Colonial Pipeline has omitted key information about potential soil, […]
New and alarming figures: Colonial Pipeline spilled 1.2 million gallons of gasoline in Huntersville, 17 times original estimates
The largest gasoline spill in North Carolina history just got bigger. Colonial Pipeline has released new figures, estimating at least 1.2 million gallons of gasoline spilled from a broken pipe in Huntersville last summer, more than 17 times the original figure. The new numbers are included in a 1,600-page Comprehensive Site Report filed with the NC […]
Contamination prompts Colonial Pipeline to buy three homes near Huntersville gasoline spill
Company still hasn't revealed total volume of gasoline released in August; DEQ wants answers by Dec. 23. The garage is empty and spotless. A man lugs garbage bags stuffed with soft goods and crams them into his car, filling the back seat and passenger side.