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The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will test the ability of area oil companies to respond to oil spills during an exercise in Port Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.

The Tesoro Terminal in Port Angeles is sponsoring this multi-party spill drill with its oil spill contractor, Marine Spill Response Corp (MSRC).

MSRC is a private, not-for-profit company supported by oil terminal and shipping company members. MSRC will deploy response boats, oil barrier booms, aircraft and other equipment in Port Angeles as part of the practice drill.

Representatives from the Department of Ecology will observe and evaluate the drill. No oil will actually be placed in the water during the exercise.

Under state law, oil tankers and fuel barges, refineries, liquid fuel pipelines, large oil-handling facilities, commercial cargo and fish-processing vessels and passenger ships must have oil spill contingency plans to operate in Washington. Larger ships and facilities must practice oil spill contingency plans in addition to regularly updating them.

By participating in the drill, MSRC’s customers will fulfill part of Washington’s oil-spill preparedness requirements.

Linda Pilkey-Jarvis, Ecology spills preparedness section manager, said: “Being prepared for oil spills is part of Ecology’s effort to reduce toxic threats to public safety, health and the environment, and to support the statewide initiative to protect and restore Puget Sound. Drills help us look for ways to improve our plans.”

In addition to Tesoro Terminal, which receives, stores and distributes fuel to barges and vessels, other companies participating in the drill and receiving drill credit include:

* Alaska Tankers Co. – Operates oil tankers that deliver Alaska crude oil to Puget Sound refineries.
* BP Shipping – Operates tank vessels which handle crude oil and refined petroleum products in Puget Sound.
* Harley Marine Services – Tug and barge company that transports petroleum products for oil companies operating in Puget Sound.
* Polar Tankers, Inc. – Operates tank vessels that handle crude oil and finished petroleum products in Puget Sound.
* SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. – Operates tank vessels that deliver Alaska crude oil to Puget Sound refineries.