[StBernard] Extent Of Damage From Chalmette Refinery Leak Undetermined

[Westley Annis]

Extent Of Damage From Chalmette Refinery Leak Undetermined



POSTED: 7:19 pm CST January 24, 2011

UPDATED: 7:59 pm CST January 24, 2011

NEW ORLEANS -- The Department of Environmental Quality and the Coast Guard
are investigating an oil spill in the Mississippi River at the Chalmette
Exxon refinery.

The Coast Guard located the spill last Monday during a flyover when a light
sheen could be seen from above.

An Exxon representative said it is lubricating oil that leaked from the
water cooling system inside the plant.

The state said the leak is small but could not give a total amount spilled.
State officials said it was isolated and would be repaired by the end of the
week.

It is still under investigation.