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AWO OBSERVES THE 10^TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPA 90

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tank barge spills have declined dramatically in the 10 years since enactment of the landmark Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), The American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced today. AWO is the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, which moves approximately 30 percent of the petroleum products that fuel the American economy. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was signed into law on August 18, 1990.

"Ten years after the enactment of OPA 90, the U.S. tank barge industry is moving oil more safely than ever before," said AWO President Thomas Allegretti. "Tank barge spills have declined dramatically, government and industry have cooperated to enact tough new regulatory standards for oil transportation, and the tug and barge industry has taken the lead in developing rigorous industry standards that exceed governmental requirements."

According to U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers statistics, in 1990, the U.S. tank barge industry moved 1.7 billion barrels of oil in U.S. waters. Of that total, 23,600 barrels were spilled, meaning that over 99.9 percent of the oil moved by barges in this country was delivered safely. In 1997, the U.S. tank barge industry again moved 1.7 billion barrels of oil, but spilled only 3,900 barrels - an 83 percent decline. "One drop of oil spilled is too much," Mr. Allegretti acknowledged, "but the trendline is pointing in the right direction, and we're committed to continuously improving our record."

This dramatic decline in spills occurred as industry and government have cooperated to introduce an array of new regulatory requirements for oil transportation, including double hull construction standards, spill response plans, and enhanced pollution prevention equipment. Complementing these regulatory changes, the Coast Guard and AWO launched the first-of-its-kind Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership in late 1995. Since that time, the partnership has brought government and industry experts together to develop non-regulatory solutions to safety and environmental challenges, earning recognition from the Vice President's National Performance Review for its efforts.

The tugboat, towboat, and barge industry has also taken the lead in developing stringent industry standards that exceed governmental requirements. As a condition of association membership, all AWO members must comply with the AWO Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), an award-winning code of safety practice that addresses a company's management and administrative practices, vessel equipment and inspection procedures, and human factors, such as training and watchstanding practices. Members must demonstrate their compliance with the RCP by undergoing an independent, third-party audit.

"The progress of the last decade displays what a committed industry and a strong government-industry partnership can do to make America's waterways safer and clean." AWO President Allegretti commented. "AWO members are committed to building on this decade of improvement and continually striving toward the goal of zero spills."