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Regulations & Permits > Plans & Policies > Contingency planning for oil industry

Contingency planning for oil industry

We require oil-handling operations — such as facilities, pipelines, large commercial vessels, and railroads — to have oil spill contingency plans that detail how they would respond to oil spills. We review the plans and test them in complex deployment and tabletop drills as part of our public service.

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Rulemaking

On January 18, 2020, updated contingency plan rules for state-approved oil spill contingency plan holders become effective. These updates will:​

  • Establish requirements for review and approval of Spill Management Teams and  Wildlife Response Service Providers.
  • Enhance requirements for readiness for spills of oils that, depending on their chemical properties, environmental factors (weathering), and method of discharge, may submerge or sink.
  • Enhance drill requirements to reflect legislative direction.
  • Update planning standards to align vessel and facility requirements and ensure best achievable protection is maintained in contingency plans.
  • Enhance planning standards for oiled wildlife response.
  • Establish three types of railroads and streamline requirements based on railroad types.

Additional information on the rule updates can be accessed at: 

Oil spill contingency planning

Washington state requires larger oil-handling facilities, pipelines, commercial vessels, and railroads to have state-approved oil spill contingency plans. These plans describe the plan holder's ability to respond to oil spills. Plans include information on spill response procedures, equipment, safety, communications, and training.

Each company is required to develop, maintain, and test their contingency plan. We review and approve plans on a five-year cycle. The oil spill contingency plan rule requires a 30-day public review and comment period for plan updates.

Guidance and assistance for specific industries

All railroads carrying oil as cargo must submit and maintain an oil spill contingency plan. Updates to Chapter 173-186 WAC became effective on January 18, 2020. The phase-in date for current plan holders is June 18, 2021.

Assistance documentation

A contingency plan must be submitted for review and approval at least 65 days prior to the beginning of operations at a new facility. Facilities with an approved contingency plan must resubmit the plan for review and approval every five years.

Assistance documentation

All tank vessels and large commercial vessels greater than 300 gross tons are required to develop, maintain, and practice their contingency plan, or sign up with an approved Washington state umbrella plan.

Assistance documentation

Rules (WACs) and laws (RCWs) governing contingency planning

Related links

Contact information

Linda Pilkey Jarvis
Preparedness Section Manager
linda.pilkey-jarvis@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-7447