Emergency Response
Oil Spills
The following information is provided directly from the EPA:
Despite the nation's best efforts to prevent spills, almost 14,000 oil spills are reported each year, mobilizing thousands of
specially trained emergency response personnel and challenging the best-laid contingency plans. Although many spills are
contained and cleaned up by the party responsible for the spill, some spills require assistance from local and state agencies,
and occasionally, the federal government. Under the National Contingency Plan, EPA is the lead federal response agency for
oil spills occurring in inland waters, and the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead response agency for spills in coastal waters and
deepwater ports.
Whether or not it manages the response, EPA tracks all reports of oil spills. EPA usually learns about a spill from the
responsible party, who is required by law to report the spill to the federal government, or from state and local responders.
Once the federal government receives the report, either through the National Response Center, EPA, or another agency, it is
recorded in the Emergency Response Notification System, or ERNS.
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Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
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Ground vs Surface
View the comparisons of ground and surface water systems in terms of usage and populations served
View Report >>
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