Community Corner
Dominion Power Takes Responsibility for Potomac River Oil Spill
At least 21 birds were killed when oil from utility's blown transformer got into Roach's Run Waterfowl Sanctuary, Potomac River.

PHOTO: Photo of Potomac River taken Friday, by Jayne Deichmeister, @DOEE_DC
ARLINGTON, VA -- Dominion Power took responsibility Friday for an oil spill in the Potomac River and Roach’s Run that killed at least 21 birds and grabbed the attention of the public and environmental authorities.
Mineral oil from a Dominion Power transformer that malfunctioned Sunday, Jan. 24 at a substation in Crystal City, made its way into Roach’s Run and the Potomac River, the utility said Friday. The mineral oil that spilled is used to lubricate and cool the transformer.
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No word on what caused the transformer to malfunction; Dominion was conducting their own tests this week but the company did not step forward until after they reviewed testing done by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Officials from various government agencies have been working for more than a week to contain and clean up the spill, which could be seen on the Potomac River from north of Reagan National Airport to past the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Testing was being done to find out what the substance was and where it came from.
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In all about 13,500 gallons spilled with Dominion recovering about 13,000 gallons. The oil made its way into Roach’s Run Waterfowl Sanctuary and the Potomac River, killing at least 21 birds; another 32 birds are being rehabilitated.
“Dominion has reviewed the oil testing data conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard,” the company said in a statement released Friday evening. “We concur with their findings that the substance was transformer mineral oil and we accept responsibility. As we have stated from the very beginning when we were made aware of the oil sheen, we would have no hesitancy in accepting responsibility should testing link our January 24 transformer spill to the sheen. We will move with all due haste to work with the agencies to ensure the remaining cleanup work is done.”
The Unified Command/U.S. Coast Guard continues its investigation Friday of the oil sheen at Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary near Arlington.
“The marine safety lab forensic petroleum analysis shows that all samples are derived from a common source,” said Cmdr. Michael Keane, incident commander. “Once the National Pollution Fund Center reviews the results of the investigation, a formal designation of a responsible party will be determined.”
No additional sheening has been observed in the last 24 hours, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard also reported Friday that there have been no additional reports of oiled birds in the last 24 hours. In total, 32 birds were captured, and they are being rehabilitated at the Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research facility in Delaware. Reports of impacted wildlife should be made to the Office of Unified Communications by dialing 311.
Reports of oil should be made to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
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