Fiber-Optic Crew Ruptures 16-Inch East L.A. Oil Pipeline, Spilling Up to 2,000 Gallons
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 22
Fiber-Optic Crew Ruptures 16-Inch East L.A. Oil Pipeline, Spilling Up to 2,000 Gallons
6 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 22
A fiber-optic drilling crew struck a 16-inch crude pipeline around 3:20 a.m. near East Cesar Chavez and North Eastern avenues, sending oil onto the street and into storm drains in East Los Angeles.
The line was leaking at about 5 gallons per second before the operator shut it down within 30 minutes; later reports put the total release at less than 2,000 gallons.
Los Angeles County Fire crews said the spill reached the storm-drain system and the Los Angeles River, where booms were deployed as teams measured the spread and worked to protect the environment.
The intersection was closed in all directions for about six hours, and cleanup operations were expected to last at least eight hours after the leak was reduced to a small trickle.
With daily utility strikes costing billions, why does America lack a unified 3D underground map in 2026?
If one simple digging technique prevents 90% of utility strikes, why isn't it universally required by law?