City Working to Contain Oil Spill in Red Butte Canyon

Site of Oil Leak Capped

SALT LAKE CITY - Salt Lake City officials and Chevron crews have been working since early morning Saturday, June 12 to stop a severe oil leak discovered East of Red Butte Canyon. The number of barrels of oil released is estimated at 400-500. The site of the leak has been capped. Drinking water for residents has not been affected.

Residents are advised to stay away from Red Butte Canyon and Liberty Park so crews can adequately manage the spill. All water access points along Red Butte Creek, Liberty Park and the Jordan River should be avoided by humans and animals at this time.

“We are working tirelessly with Chevron teams to contain this spill form the critical ecological areas affected in our City,” said Mayor Ralph Becker who is heading to Salt Lake City from Oklahoma City where he was attending the National Conference of Mayors. “Our fire teams have capped the site and will work to determine the damage and best course of action. We ask all residents of Salt Lake City to help by staying away from these areas.”

Chevron has a pipeline bringing crude oil in from western Colorado and eastern Utah into the Salt Lake Valley. This pipeline runs down Emigration Canyon and heads west over Beck Street to the company refinery.

Regular updates will be provided and a press conference will be held at 3:45 at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building on 315 East 200 South with additional details.

Who: Mayor Ralph Becker

Salt Lake City Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Lieb

Salt Lake City Emergency Management Program Director Cory Lyman

What: Oil Spill Press Conference

When: Saturday, June 12 2010 3:45 p.m.

Where: Salt Lake City Public Safety Building