ODOE Activates Oregon Fuel Action Plan in Response to Break in Fuel Line Supplying Eugene

Over the weekend, the Oregon Department of Energy was notified that a Kinder Morgan pipeline that supplies fuels from Portland to the Eugene area had been leaking. Kinder Morgan shut down the pipeline and is working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency to begin repairing the pipeline and clearing contaminated soil.

ODOE activated our Oregon Fuel Action Plan to assess whether the pipeline break would affect diesel supply in Eugene. At this time, we do not anticipate any shortages.

The repair has been challenging for Kinder Morgan, as the break is located in a steep, remote area that has recently seen rain and snow. The company now has all equipment needed on site, and anticipates completing repairs by Tuesday afternoon. It will operate at a reduced pressure to test the line, but the company expects to be able to meet the Eugene market.

If repairs take longer, arrangements have already been made to truck in diesel from Portland or Northern California to ensure Eugene has the supply it needs.

ODOE is a responding agency in the event of an emergency that could affect fuel supply. The Oregon Fuel Action Plan outlines the steps we would follow to acquire and distribute petroleum to essential services during an emergency. The plan can be scaled up for large-scale events (like a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake) or scaled down for more localized issues like this. Learn more about the Oregon Fuel Action Plan on our website.