Montana Oil Spill: 'Exxon Responsible' in Yellowstone River Spill

by NowPublic Staff | July 5, 2011 at 07:26 pm

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Yellowstone River Oil Spill Near Billings, Montana

A massive oil spill into the Yellowstone River near Billings, Montana has affected several counties as it moves towards the Missouri River. The Montana oil spill took place late at night on July 1.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer declared a state of emergency, explicitly blaming ExxonMobil for the Yellowstone River oil spill. The following counties are affected by the state of emergency declaration:

Yellowstone
Treasure
Rosebud
Custer
Prairie
Dawson
Richland

Historically high river levels, which caused massive flooding further downstream, are complicating the cleanup efforts. Also, oil is being detected further downstream than Exxon is admitting. Up to 1,000 barrels (42,000 gallons) of oil spilled into the river when a pipe ruptured.

Senator Max Baucus is demanding answers from ExxonMobile, including details of how the oil giant plans to handle the inevitable claims against it by home- and business-owners affected by the spill.

"I'm calling on Exxon Mobil to answer some tough questions so we can find out how this accident happened and what needs to be done to make sure something like this it never happens again," Max Baucus said in a letter to Rex Tillerson, the chairman and CEO of Exxon.