Griffin calls for transparency on Mayflower oil spill

Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) recently issued a statement regarding three key inspection reports on the March 29 Mayflower oil spill.

“I received two reports from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration that deal with the pre-spill 2010 in-line inspection of the Pegasus pipeline,” Griffin said. “As I told PHMSA officials when I met with them earlier this month, information from the pre-spill inspections should be accessible to everyone, and that’s why I’m releasing the 2010 reports and 2013 preliminary data on my website. While I am still going through the reports’ findings, I plan to cover all of this information with technical experts soon, and will continue to do everything I can to make sure the victims of this tragedy are made whole and the drinking water for 400,000 Arkansans remains safe.”

The PHMSA provided three reports at Griffin’s request, although the agency did redact certain geographic information from the reports and data due to national security concerns.

Earlier this month, Griffin released to the public a copy of the post-spill metallurgical report on the cause of the Pegasus pipeline rupture, and he has requested the PHMSA release the 2006 hydrostatic test conducted on the pipeline.

Since the oil spill, Griffin has repeatedly toured the cleanup site and maintains constant contact with residents and representatives of the Unified Command.