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.
Contingency Plan Rulemaking (Chapter 173-182 and 173-186 WAC)
The Washington State Department of Ecology is announcing a rulemaking to amend two chapters of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC): Chapter 173-182 WAC, Oil Spill Contingency Plan and Chapter 173-186 WAC, Oil Spill Contingency Plan – Railroad.
This rulemaking will update both chapters to:
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Consider the following recommendations from the 2025 Best Achievable Protection (BAP) workgroups:
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Amend existing requirements for technical manuals to include equipment and tactics for non-floating oil (NFO) response and to ensure responders can quickly evaluate the potential behavior and environmental impacts of NFO while maintaining safety.
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Strengthen existing drill requirements for NFO responses.
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Strengthen existing drill requirements for Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) deterrence tactics.
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Incorporate Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) into current planning standards for shoreline cleanup.
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Update aerial surveillance requirements to
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incorporate Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) as an optional response tool in low visibility environments;
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improve alignment between facility and covered vessel planning standards; and
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focus rules on desired outcomes and mission objectives rather than specific equipment or sensors.
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Incorporate updates to align with modern agency practices and recent updates to related rules.
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Make minor administrative updates to correct grammatical issues, outdated references, and improve readability of rule language.
This rulemaking will update Chapter 173-182 WAC to:
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Consider new equipment planning standards for vessels operating in the Middle Columbia River to address changes in spill risks in that area.
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Clarify existing requirements to eliminate ambiguity and improve consistent application of the rule.
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 5-year updates and significant 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
- Please contact Matt Bissell if you have questions for facility contingency plan in accordance with Chapter 173-186 WAC, Oil Spill Contingency Plan – Railroad
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
- Please contact Matt Bissell if you have questions for facility contingency plan in accordance with the oil spill contingency plan rule.
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
- State-approved plans See a list of current plan holders and staff contacts for each plan.
- Neah Bay Emergency Response Towing Vessel (ERTV) Learn more about the emergency response towing vessel and how it is used.
- Technical manual Vessels with contingency plans are required to have a technical manual.
Class 2 mobile facilities are required to operate under an approved oil transfer response plan. Class 2 facilities must prepare and submit their response plan at least 90 days prior to conducting the first transfer operation to a non-recreational vessel. The below tools have been developed to assist mobile facilities in their development of their plan.
- Class 2 Mobile Facility Response Plan Boilerplate
- Binding Agreement
- Mobile Facility Plan Review Checklist
Approved response plans are valid for five years. Facilities with an expiring approval must submit an updated plan for re-approval, or a letter asking us to review and re-approve the existing plan, at least 90 days before expiration.
Rules (WACs) and laws (RCWs) governing contingency planning
Related links
Contact information
Darcy Bird
Planning Unit Supervisor
Darcy.Bird@ecy.wa.gov
360-480-2084