Eastman accidentally releases 3 gallons of oil into Holston

KINGSPORT — Turbine oil was accidentally released into the Holston River by Eastman Chemical Co., according to a letter from the company to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The company told TDEC on Dec. 27 it estimated about three gallons of oil reached the Big Sluice section of the South Fork of the Holston River, resulting in a visible sheen on the water's surface along the boundary of Eastman property. Eastman initially estimated a total of 160 pounds of oil was released as part of the accident. In a statement to Six Rivers Media on Jan. 5, Eastman said the total discharge was three gallons, or 22 pounds. "This reflects a revision to the 160-pound estimate originally reported to regulatory agencies," the statement said. The accident was caused by a mechanical failure of one of the site's turbine generators, according to the TDEC letter. The company told Six Rivers Media an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Eastman personnel covered storm drains "in the vicinity of the spill," and deployed an oil absorbent boom, a piece of equipment used to collect and control oil spread, in the Big Sluice area of the South Fork of the Holston River. A vacuum truck and oil absorbent materials were used where the oil initially spilled. Recovered oil was containerized for disposal. Eastman notified the National Response Center, the federal point of contact for reporting discharges into the environment, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Sullivan County Local Emergency Planning Committee of the discharge on Dec. 27. Other facilities downstream of Eastman's site were also notified of the release, including First Utility District of Hawkins County, Domtar's Kingsport Mill and Holston Army Ammunition Plant. "Eastman continues to investigate any additional measures that could be taken to improve the resilience of systems to minimize the recurrence of such events," the letter to TDEC read.