California Oil Spill Update: Coast Guard, Investigators Steps Closer To Finding Out The Cause, Liability Could Shift

Investigators are expecting an answer soon on what caused a pipeline to break and spill 126,000 gallons of oil off the coast of Southern California.

“One of the distinct possibilities” on the cause of the leak is that an anchor struck the pipe and broke it, Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher told USA Today. He said they are hoping for an exact cause on Tuesday.

“We’re looking into if it could have been an anchor from a ship, but that’s in the assessment phase right now,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jeannie Shaye added.

Ships have had to anchor a few miles back from the normal dock due to backlogged ports resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain issues.

If this is the case, the liability of the leak could shift.

There is some belief that the anchor could have dragged the pipeline about 150 feet from its original location, an unnamed official told reporters, according to The Hill.

Criminal and civil investigators are also looking into why it took so long for Amplify to determine and report the oil leak. Amplify has a history of violations.

Pipelines are supposed to be audited closely with leak detection systems. Amplify’s spill reaction plan is supposed to allow small leaks to be detected within a few minutes, and large leaks should only take an hour. Amplify did not report the leak until the next day.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

“The state is moving to cut red tape and mobilize all available resources to protect public health and the environment,” said Newsom on Monday.

Newsom also said he hopes to phase out drilling by 2045, suggesting the possible threat it could have on the environment is too large.

“California continues to lead the nation in phasing out fossil fuels and combating the climate crisis," Newsom said. "This incident serves as a reminder of the enormous cost fossil fuels have on our communities and the environment.”