Washington delegation demands answers from BP after weeks-long Olympic Pipeline gas leak

EVERETT, Wash. — In a letter addressed to BP North America CEO Murray Auchincloss, a cohort of Washington delegates is demanding answers from the energy behemoth after a leak in the Olympic Pipeline released thousands of gallons of fuel near Everett

The leak was discovered by a blueberry farmer on Nov. 11, who then alerted BP. Hundreds of feet of the two consecutive pipes, carrying gas and airliner fuel, were excavated as crews attempted to locate the leak.

The leak briefly disrupted fuel delivery to SeattleTacoma International Airport (SEA), prompting a regional emergency response.

On Nov. 19, Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency to enable trucking alternatives for jet fuel delivery during the shutdown.

BP eventually located the leak source in a 20-inch segment of the pipeline and restored service on unaffected sections. The last publicly known amount of fuel released into the environment was 2.300 gallons.

Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Kim Schrier, Marilyn Strickland, Emily Randall, Adam Smith, Pramila Jayapal, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez are now insisting BP release detailed information about the leak, its causes, and BP’s response plan.

In their letter, the lawmakers, representing Washington’s entire congressional delegation, raise more than a dozen specific questions, including: exactly how much fuel was released, whether contamination spread to local water sources or soil, what remediation plans are in place, and what steps BP will take to prevent future leaks.

They also demand full public disclosure of spill data, a full spill history for Washington pipelines, and cooperation with state regulators.

The full list of questions includes:

1. What volume of refined products did the November 11, 2025 leak release?
2. What efforts are BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline undertaking to determine the full extent of refined products that may have leaked into surrounding water sources or soil?
3. Provide an outline of BP’s plan to remediate any contamination, including the timeline for these activities and an assessment of local businesses or residences impacted.
4. Do you commit to timely public disclosure of all spill data, such as volume, location, environmental sampling results, and remediation efforts, for review by public and relevant state and local agencies? If so, what is your projected timeline for this information disclosure?
5. Provide a complete list of spills and volume spilled since November 25, 2005, from any pipelines owned by BP in Washington State.
6. What corrective measures will BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline take to reduce future spill risk?
7. Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to determine the cause of the leak and make any necessary corrective actions?
8. Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Department of Ecology for assessment of the extent of the spill as well as all clean-up operations?
9. The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $3.8 million fine for the 2023 Olympic Pipeline leak in Conway, WA. Following that leak, how did BP update its monitoring and maintenance practices?
10. Since the 2023 leak in Conway, has BP found any other leaks along the Olympic pipeline? Is there a connection between the 2023 leak in Conway, or any subsequent leaks, and this one?
11. Governor Ferguson’s emergency declaration following the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline highlights the need to develop further emergency plans to service airline operation needs in the event of future fuel incidents. Do you commit to working with the state and relevant transit authorities to address emergency planning needs?

The delegates wrote:

“This malfunction jeopardized airline operations, farmlands, water safety, wildlife habitat, and public health.”

The letter expresses concern that this latest leak adds to a decades-long record of ruptures and spills involving the Olympic Pipeline , including a 2023 gasoline spill near Conway that led to a $3.8 million fine by the Washington Department of Ecology.

With multiple open questions and broad public concern, the delegation says Washington residents deserve “confidence that BP is treating this most recent leak with all due seriousness.”

BP has agreed to brief the lawmakers on the leak and its impacts — but the officials have requested written responses by Jan. 8, 2026.