Alaska underwater gas leak continues, 2nd group to sue
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A second environmental group has given formal notice that it will sue the owner of an underwater pipeline spewing natural gas into Alaska’s Cook Inlet.
The inlet is home to endangered beluga whales, salmon and other fish. Gas since at least Feb. 7 has bubbled from an 8-inch pipeline owned by Hilcorp Alaska LLC. The pipeline moves processed natural gas from onshore to four drilling platforms.
The company in a statement said its modeling consultants conclude that only tiny amounts of natural gas likely are dissolving into the water and that there likely is minimal effect on marine life. Hilcorp says the leak will be repaired when it’s safe to dive.
However, the Center for Biological Diversity in a letter to the company and the Environmental Protection Agency said the leaking gas is a threat to belugas. The Tucson, Arizona-based group said Hilcorp is violating four federal laws: the Clean Air and Clean Water acts, the Endangered Species Act and the Pipeline Safety Act. A lawsuit requires a 60-day notice.