ExxonMobil said in a recent statement that the Valdez accident (it does not refer to it as the Exxon Valdez accident) "was the lowest point in the company's 125 year history."
The 11 million gallon crude spill on March 24, 1989 from the supertanker Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound cost Exxon (now ExxonMobil) about $4 billion in clean up costs; settlements with the state and federal government; compensation to Alaskans and businesses injured by the spill; and damages to thousands of residents who sued the company. Had the industry made similar investments in prevention and response prior to the spill, perhaps its impact would have been far less devastating.
After a three year cleanup effort that involved, at its peak, about 11,000 people and cost Exxon an estimated $2.1 billion, the company said in 1993 that the Sound "has almost fully recovered."
Twenty years on, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council say the Sound is healing. "We have made significant progress in restoration of areas impacted by the spill," according to a new report from the council, which oversees the use of $900 million received from Exxon in a civil settlent for environmental restoration.
A number of injured marine and bird species have recovered or are making progress towards recovery objectives, the report said. Killer whales, and herring (a commercially important resource and a vital link in the Sound's food chain), are notable exceptions. Local populations of sea otters in heavily-oiled areas have not recovered as quickly as otter populations in other areas.
The trustees also report that Exxon Valdez oil "persists in the environment and, in places, is nearly as toxic as it was the first few weeks after the spill." The remaining oil "will take decades and possibly centuries to disappear." The spill and the effects of lingering Exxon Valdez oil "continue to affect the social fabric of native villages and communities."
ExxonMobil said in its recent statement that independent scientists it has contracted have individually concluded "the environment in Prince William Sound is healthy, robust and thriving."
The company agrees that there were severe short-term impacts (it could hardly be denied), but "no long-term damage."
As a result of post-spill federal and state laws and regulations, "Alaska today has the best and safest oil transportation system in the world," the trustees said, funded by the oil industry. The system includes specially trained pilots and escort tugs for tankers and vastly expanded oil containment and removal capabilities. There is little doubt that "the ability of industry and government to respond is considerably strengthened."
However, the debate continues "over whether a spill the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster can be contained and removed once it is in the water," the trustees said.
Which is why prevention is even more critical than improved response capability, as important as that is. ExxonMobil said that among several measures it has taken "to prevent another accident like Valdez," is a drug and alcohol testing program for "safety sensitive positions." The company is restricting safety sensitive positions to employees with no history of substance abuse.
Command of a supertanker surely is one such position.
Since Exxon Valdez, there have been about 11,000 tanker transits through the Sound without a signifcant spill. But that's no reason for complacency. There is always another tanker underway.
The oil disaster is a problem which must be solved. Only the BP has the possibility to stop the damage on the nature. But I think the biggest damage is already done.