Oregon — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide fuel emergency on November 24 following a second shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline in three months, citing the potential for fuel delivery disruptions across the state. The pipeline provides more than 90% of Oregon’s transportation fuel, supplying terminals in Portland that distribute gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel statewide.
Under Executive Order 25-30, issued pursuant to ORS 401.165, Kotek determined a statewide emergency existed due to the pipeline outage and directed state agencies to activate coordinated fuel-supply protections. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is authorized to implement the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, while the Oregon Department of Energy will lead Emergency Support to Fuels coordination, including industry liaison work and recommendations for further state action. The Oregon Department of Transportation is directed to provide temporary regulatory relief for commercial motor carriers, including hours-of-service waivers under ORS 823.012.
State officials emphasized that Oregon is not currently experiencing fuel shortages, and the order is intended to prevent possible supply issues. Price gouging remains illegal during an emergency and may be reported to the Oregon Department of Justice.
The declaration remains in effect through December 24 unless extended.
Earlier the same day, the Environmental Quality Commission issued temporary variances in the Clean Fuels Program and Climate Protection Program to allow alternative fuel delivery methods if the pipeline closure persists.
Washington leak identified after Oregon’s order
The Governor’s action preceded new details emerging from Washington, where crews identified the source of a week-long leak in the Olympic Pipeline’s 20-inch gasoline line near Everett.
BP, the pipeline operator, confirmed to KING 5 News that the 16-inch jet-fuel line has been partially restarted, while repairs continue on the gasoline line. A full repair timeline has not yet been released, though federal and state officials expect the affected aviation fuel reserves at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to recover within several days. Some long-haul Delta flights had already faced schedule changes during the Thanksgiving travel period due to limited fuel availability.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued his own emergency declaration to allow expanded truck transport of jet fuel to SEA while repairs proceed. His office reported no significant statewide gasoline price impacts.
Second line still shut down
MyNorthwest reported that the line serving SEA was confirmed intact and returned to service, while the second fuel line remains shut down for repair and environmental cleanup. The leak, first detected November 16 after sheen was found in an agricultural drainage ditch, prompted both lines to be shut off temporarily.
The Olympic Pipeline is a 400-mile system running from Whatcom County to Portland, supplying terminals in Seattle, SeaTac, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Portland.
With Oregon and Washington both under emergency declarations and holiday travel surging, state officials across the region say they are maintaining close coordination to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability for airports, distributors, and critical services.
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