Three companies were issued notices of violation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District last week for their roles in last month’s East LA oil spill, as county officials revealed new estimates showing the spill was far larger than initially reported.
Approximately 25,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled during the May 22 drilling incident, according to LA County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella — nearly ten times the 2,400 gallons originally reported by county agencies.
A spokesperson from South Coast AQMD said the initial estimate was “based on visual observations made by first responders and reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.” But further assessment conducted by the pipeline operator revised the discharge volume…