An Albany-bound barge carrying more than 60,000 barrels of refined gasoline ran aground in the Hudson River Tuesday, April 4 in Catskill below the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and across the river from the Town of Greenport. The fuel was subsequently transferred to another barge and the grounded barge was refloated and removed. “I am relieved to see that there were no major injuries or spillage resulting from the incident,” said Congressman John Faso (R–19th) in a statement. State Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R–102nd), who was briefed by the governor’s office and the state Department of Environmental Conservation released a statement crediting the Coast Guard, Greene County officials and the governor’s office “for being proactive and hands-on in managing this situation effectively.” Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106th) said in a statement that the incident “makes clear the inherent risks that petroleum transportation poses for our Hudson River Valley and its residents…. but it brings home the real environmental, health and safety threats with the increase in oil and gas vessels addressed by our legislation (A6825).” She said the bill would provide the state expanded authority over the establishment of ‘tanker avoidance zones’ on the state’s navigable waterways to help prevent this problem. Photo by Lance Wheeler
