An estimated 1,000 gallons of biodiesel oil is reported to have spilled into a catch basin near East Newark, NJ, on the Passaic River at about 5:30 a.m. March 26.
Coast Guard Sector New York received a report from the National Response Center (NRC) that Innovation Fuels Inc. reported the spill had occurred during an internal transfer and that the source of the release had been secured. None of the product was reported to have reached the water.
Biodiesel oil is a non-petroleum based diesel fuel similar to vegetable oil or animal fat. Kens Marine has been contracted to clean up the spill and have deployed preventative boom around the area.
Pollution investigators from Coast Guard Sector New York and a boat crew from Station New York responded to the scene to ensure that no product had entered the water. A Coast Guard over flight was also conducted to investigate the area with negative results.
Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Timothy McDonald, Sector New York command duty officer, said, "even though it didn't spill into the water, it is important to get it cleaned up thoroughly to help minimize impact to the environment." The Coast Guard will be conducting further investigation regarding the incident.