Keystone Reports Major Oil Spill

The owners of the Keystone Pipeline reported a leak this week of over 200,000 gallons of oil in South Dakota.

The Bismarck Tribune reports Trans Canada shut down a portion of the pipeline after crews detected a pressure drop.

Authorities say a section of pipe near the Ludden pump station in Marshall County, was isolated and emergency response procedures were activated.

A spokesman for the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, says they don't believe the leak has affected any bodies of water or drinking water systems.

Following the report of the spill, environmental groups came forward to condemn the pipeline. "Just days before the Nebraska Public Service Commissions decides on whether to approve Keystone XL we get a painful reminder of why no one wants a pipeline over their water supply," said a spokesman for Greenpeace.

The Sierra Club also weighed in on the incident, calling for the commission not to vote for the project.

[Source: Bismarck Tribune]