The Coast Guard Captain of the Port closed a section of the Neches River Saturday, after a pipeline at the Jefferson Energy Terminal released an estimated 880 gallons of Eagle Ford crude oil in the Neches River.
The source of the leak has been secured.
The Neches ship channel is closed to all vessel traffic and a Coast Guard safety zone has been established from the Kansas City Southern Railroad Bridge to just below the Enterprise docks and navigation light 46. The Coast Guard requests all mariners avoid the area until further notice.
The Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office and Jefferson Energy, operating in a Unified Command structure, are working diligently to contain and clean up the spilled oil.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality along with the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health are conducting air monitoring to ensure the safety of response personnel and the public.
A claims number has been established by Jefferson Energy for persons who may have questions and concerns about the incident. The number is 409-926-7012 and a Jefferson Energy representative will be available for assistance.