Another spill at Allied, but only 2,000 gallons

Chesapeake, Va.-Allied Terminals has experienced another liquid nitrogen spill, but this time not nearly as serious as the 2008 catastrophe that released 2 million gallons and inundated a nearby neighborhood (GM Nov. 17, 2008). Last Monday (Oct. 18) an estimated 2,000 gallons of UAN was released in the railroad terminal yard during a loading operation. Allied Terminals Vice President Bruce Law told Green Markets the incident occurred when a loading arm came out from a rail car. Law said the product was for the most part recovered the same day by two vacuum trucks, and only a small amount ran into the collection point, where it was excavated and hauled away for disposal. “We had it all wrapped up and finished in one day,” he reported. “We complied with the city’s request and notified authorities of the situation. Only the fire marshal showed up at the scene.” Chesapeake Fire Capt. Mike Theibault told the local press that there is no apparent impact to area waterways, public areas, or the surrounding neighborhoods. Still, the news did not come at a good time for Allied, as it and the City of Chesapeake have been at odds over whether Allied can add sulfuric acid to its storage (GM Sept. 27, 2010).