The Council monitors terminal operations and maintenance, air and water quality standards, reviews operating permits and protocols, and conducts independent research on topics such as corrosion and piping inspection technologies.
Through the work of the terminal operations program, a number of significant improvements have helped reduce environmental impacts from the terminal.
- Prior to 1998, large amounts of hydrocarbon vapors, including known carcinogens such as benzene, were released into the atmosphere as crude oil was loaded onto tanker ships. Work done in this program helped the Council advocate for a vapor recovery system to capture those harmful vapors. In 1998, Alyeska finished installing vapor recovery systems on its two active loading berths, eliminating the emission of those hydrocarbons.
- Prior to 2009, the ballast water treatment facility on the terminal was also a large source of atmospheric emissions of hydrocarbons. The reason for this was because one of the treatment stages, dissolved air flotation, was open to the atmosphere allowing hydrocarbons to escape. Through this program the Council advocated that these vapors be contained. In 2009 and 2010, Alyeska covered the dissolved air flotation tanks, eliminating this source of air contamination.
Corrosion protection system for terminal’s crude oil pipes in good shape overall
A recent study of operations and maintenance of Alyeska’s cathodic protection system found that the program was “very good;” however ...
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Review of maintenance records finds improvements needed for oil storage tank
Oil spill unlikely as long as planned repairs are not delayed further Last year, COVID-19 delayed planned repairs to one ...
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New buoys now streaming weather conditions from Port Valdez
Two new buoys are now in place and broadcasting weather conditions in the vicinity of the Valdez Marine Terminal. The ...
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Piping inspections near completion
By Austin Love Council Project Manager For the first time since the facility’s construction was completed in 1977, a majority ...
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North Slope crude oil spills into Port Valdez
On September 21, approximately 100 gallons of North Slope Crude oil was spilled into Port Valdez. The spill occurred during ...
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Tom Kuckertz: Retired staff member still contributes engineering expertise to council’s mission
The council has benefited from Chicago-born Tom Kuckertz’ broad experience in engineering for 16 years and counting. After his retirement ...
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