Keep up pressure on Exxon

Montana’s political leaders are justified in firmly riding herd on ExxonMobil Corp. in the aftermath of the oil pipeline spill in the Yellowstone River, and it should be a lesson that leads to more vigilant oversight to avoid similar problems in the future.

It seems pretty clear that the ruptured pipeline was an accident, and there doesn’t appear to be any gross neglect leading up to it. However, ExxonMobil was less than forthcoming immediately after it happened, at first claiming that the leak lasted for six minutes and later acknowledging oil had gushed into the river for about an hour.

At first it was estimated that the spill of about 42,000 gallons of oil was concentrated in a five to 10-mile stretch of river, but now it is estimated that contamination is present at least 45 miles downriver from the leak. That is partly because more problem areas are gradually being detected as the Yellowstone recedes from peak flows, allowing better access to discover contaminated locations along the river.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer was right to separate the state’s response operations from those of the company, and to turn up the heat on Exxon Mobil to spur a no-holds barred cleanup effort.

“We’re going to keep poking them with a stick,” Schweitzer said.

Rep. Denny Rehberg is also weighing in, bringing the matter before a congressional oversight committee to get answers about the spill and find solutions to avoid future spills. He also is seeking to have Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester participate in the committee’s proceedings.

So far, it seems that ExxonMobil is keenly aware of the pressure, with company executives pledging repeatedly to spend whatever it takes to restore the river.

The Environmental Protection Agency reported earlier this week that 640 people are responding, with 420 of them in the field engaged in cleanup and sampling activities.

Once the cleanup is complete, there should be continued pressure on the company to ensure that if landowners or others are due compensation, it is delivered promptly.

This shouldn’t be about demonizing ExxonMobil. This is the Treasure State. The Laurel and Billings economies depend on the company, increased oil production is expected in Eastern Montana, and the Schweitzer administration has been an active backer of an oil pipeline from Alberta through Montana.

But the state should compel companies like ExxonMobil to take all possible measures to make sure that existing and future infrastructure is sound for the safe transport of oil.