The following information is provided directly from the EPA:
Despite the nation's best efforts to prevent spills, almost 14,000 oil spills are reported each year, mobilizing thousands of
specially trained emergency response personnel and challenging the best-laid contingency plans. Although many spills are
contained and cleaned up by the party responsible for the spill, some spills require assistance from local and state agencies,
and occasionally, the federal government. Under the National Contingency Plan, EPA is the lead federal response agency for
oil spills occurring in inland waters, and the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead response agency for spills in coastal waters and
deepwater ports.
Whether or not it manages the response, EPA tracks all reports of oil spills. EPA usually learns about a spill from the
responsible party, who is required by law to report the spill to the federal government, or from state and local responders.
Once the federal government receives the report, either through the National Response Center, EPA, or another agency, it is
recorded in the Emergency Response Notification System, or ERNS.
Related Pages
Emergency Response Readiness Emergency Response Maintaining Readiness The following information is provided directly from the EPA: Responding Agencies ... tasks is to coordinate contingency planning efforts with other agencies to ensure that emergency responses are carried out ...
Anadarko Petroleum Co., agrees to pay penalty for oil spills in Wyoming ... toxicity of the oil itself, which may poison exposed organisms. For more information on the effects and cleanups of oil spills, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill . The consent decree was lodged in ...
Valero Refining-Texas Agrees to Resolve Alleged Violations Over Corpus Christi, Texas Oil Spill ... the agreement, will require Valero to design and construct a boat ramp that will aid emergency-response efforts in the vicinity of the oil spill. The government's complaint, filed along with the consent decree, alleges ...
Maine Schools Notified about Oil Spill Risks and Proper Prevention Techniques ... to all school systems in New England states, and will extend its outreach efforts to heighten awareness of oil spill and prevention requirements. The federal Clean Water Act requires facilities that store over ...
Rhode Island Schools Notified about Oil Spill Risks and Proper Prevention Techniques ... to all school systems in New England states, and will extend its outreach efforts to heighten awareness of oil spill and prevention requirements. The federal Clean Water Act requires facilities that store over ...
Green Tips
Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy.
Featured Report
Major Land Usage
See the major uses of land broken into Crop, Pasture, Forest and Urban
