The operator of the Keystone pipeline system has agreed to pay a $26.9 million civil penalty and invest an additional $40 million to prevent future accidents following a major oil spill in Kansas in December 2022, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
The operator of the Keystone pipeline system has agreed to pay a $26.9 million civil penalty and invest an additional $40 million to prevent future accidents following a major oil spill in Kansas in December 2022.
- South Bow LP will resolve allegations from the EPA and Kansas that it violated clean-water laws when nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil were spilled into a creek.
- The spill was the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years.
- The settlement includes $3 million for environmental restoration projects in Kansas and requires a judge's approval after a 30-day public comment period.
- The spill harmed or killed more than 2,700 animals, including endangered long-eared bats.
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Impact | 1 Difference | Majority reports 2,700 animals harmed; The Guardian notes no human injuries | ▼ |
| Amount Of Oil Spilled | Broad Agreement | 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil | |
| Size Of The Spill | Broad Agreement | largest onshore crude pipeline spill in 9 years | |
| Penalty Amount | Broad Agreement | $26.9 million civil penalty and $40 million for future prevention |
Environmental Impact
▼Majority reports 2,700 animals harmed; The Guardian notes no human injuries
Amount Of Oil Spilled
Broad Agreement13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil
Size Of The Spill
Broad Agreementlargest onshore crude pipeline spill in 9 years
Penalty Amount
Broad Agreement$26.9 million civil penalty and $40 million for future prevention
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
South Bow LP, based in Canada, would resolve allegations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Kansas that it violated clean-water laws when nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil were spilled into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington County, about 150 miles northwest of Kansas City.
The spill was the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years and surpassed all previous spills combined on the same pipeline system, per a 2021 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The total amount of oil spilled would have nearly filled an Olympic-size swimming pool.
The proposed settlement includes more than $3 million for environmental restoration projects in Kansas and requires a judge's approval after a 30-day public comment period, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Jeffrey Hall, EPA’s assistant administrator for its enforcement office, stated that 'The oil spill blanketed land and water, rendering the waterway lifeless and useless and requiring extensive cleanup and remediation.' The substantial penalty reflects the seriousness of the environmental harm.
The spill harmed or killed more than 2,700 animals in an area home to endangered long-eared bats. An engineering consulting firm's May 2023 report for the U.S. government indicated that a bend in the Keystone system where the spill occurred had been 'overstressed' since its installation in December 2010, likely due to construction activity altering the land around the pipe.
South Bow spokesperson Sara Hunter said in an emailed statement Sunday that the company “proactively” launched its response to the spill before receiving formal directives from government officials, including “comprehensive environmental remediation” completed in February 2024. She also said that since the spill, the company has done more than 12,000 miles of pipeline inspections and 400 excavations to examine pipe and make repairs where necessary.
The settlement comes as President Trump recently approved a new pipeline project from Canada to Wyoming. This smaller version of the massive $8-billion Keystone XL project was blocked by the Biden administration in 2021 over environmental concerns.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.