Larsen Demands Answers on Oil Spill Preparedness Amid Canadian Pipeline Plans

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen has written to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, expressing concern over the lack of updates on oil spill preparedness plans in light of a proposed new Canadian oil pipeline.

The pipeline, announced by the Government of Alberta on July 2, will transport 1 million barrels per day to an export terminal at Roberts Banks in British Columbia, increasing tanker traffic in the Salish Sea and the risk of catastrophic oil spills.

Larsen, who is top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, notes that Section 7407 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 required the Coast Guard to review and update the Canada-United States Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan within 180 days. However, no update has been received by Congress.

Larsen is requesting an update on implementation of Section 7407 by August 31, 2026, highlighting the importance of a strong partnership between the U.S. and Canada to protect shared waterways and respond to maritime emergencies.