As Earth Day approaches, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced that 2010 saw the lowest-ever recorded number of tank barge oil spills. The 2010 spill statistics newly released by the U.S. Coast Guard show that the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry had a record low of 75 spills and a record low volume of 919 gallons spilled. AWO is recognized as the industry’s safety leader, with its members required to comply with the AWO-developed Responsible Carrier Program, a safety management system that mandates operational audits every three years. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) has successfully helped the industry to put in place safeguards that have dramatically improved the industry’s safety record.