Pipeline 150 miles from Dakota Access Spills 176,000 gallons of crude oil into nearby river

Cleanup of this spill may last until spring.

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A pipeline less than three hours drive from where water protectors are camped out at Standing Rock in North Dakota has leaked more than 175,000 gallons of crude oil into the nearby water supply.

As previously reported, the Belle Fourche pipeline was shut down after a leak was discovered last Monday. Until now it was unknown how much oil had actually been spilled, and the leak had not been detected by monitoring equipment. A local landowner discovered the leak.

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The pipeline has leaked into a tributary of the Little Missouri River and into a hillside. The majority of the spill, over 130,000 gallons spilled into the river, with over 46,000 leaking into the hillside. It has also contaminated 5.4 miles of the Ash Coulee Creek.

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At least two cows have been confirmed dead near the site of the spill, but the cause of death has not been verified.

The owner of the pipeline, True Companies, is the same company behind the 2015 pipeline rupture in Montana that spilled more than 40,000 gallons of crude into the Yellowstone River.

According to environmental scientist Bill Seuss, cleanup of this spill may last until spring.

This is just another instance of a pipeline spill. They happen all the time, in fact there have been more than 11,000 reported “significant incidents,” such as spills, injuries, deaths and costly accidents, involving pipelines since 1996. Yet companies like Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, insist that they are “safe.”

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Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

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