"Cleanup of Oil-Fouled California Beach Could Take Months"

"The U.S. Coast Guard captain overseeing cleanup of oil spilled from a pipeline rupture that closed two California state beaches and fouled offshore waters near Santa Barbara said on Thursday it may take months to restore the area to its natural condition.

Up to 2,500 barrels (105,000 gallons) of crude petroleum, according to latest estimates, gushed onto San Refugio State Beach and into the Pacific about 20 miles (32 km) west of Santa Barbara on Tuesday when an underground pipeline that runs along the coastal highway burst.

As much as a fifth of the amount was believed to have reached the ocean, leaving oil slicks that stretched for more than 9 miles (15 km) along the coast."

Steve Gorman reports for Reuters May 21, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Oil Again Fouling California Coast Near Site of Historic Spill" (New York Times)

"Santa Barbara Oil Spill Adds To Pipeline Operator's Dismal Safety Record" (NPR)

"Pipeline Operator In Calif. Spill Reportedly Had History Of Infractions" (NPR)

"Santa Barbara Spill Revives Outcry Against Coastal Drilling" (Huffington Post)

"Finding California Oil Spill's Cause Could Take Months" (AP)

"Santa Barbara Rupture Prompts Calls for More Restrictions" (EnergyWire)

"Senate Dems Call for Pipeline, Hazmat Regulator" (The Hill)

"PHMSA Probed Over Slow Rulemaking Pace" (Law360)

"Suggish Response to Santa Barbara Oil Spill Rings Alarm Bells for the Arctic" (NRDC Switchboard)

"Florida Dem Looks To Extend Offshore Drilling Ban" (The Hill)