LOS ANGELES (AP) – A congressional committee has opened a probe into a California oil spill that blackened beaches and created a 9-mile ocean slick last month.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday asked the pipeline operator for detailed information on maintenance of the failed line and inspection records.
The panel also wants Plains All American Pipeline to explain what it did in the hours leading up to the break near Santa Barbara, and how it reported the problem.
The Texas company has been facing criticism that it took too long to notify federal emergency officials.
The break in a badly corroded section of pipeline released up to 101,000 gallons of crude oil. An estimated 21,000 gallons entered the ocean.
Federal regulators are seeking the cause.
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