Security Alert Issued To Refineries

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By By Bryan Johnson

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up security because it says terrorists may have been snooping around one of our local oil refineries.

Story Published: Jul 1, 2004 at 11:35 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2009 at 11:40 AM PDT

Security Alert Issued To Refineries
WESTERN WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security has advised law enforcement and refineries in Washington state that at least one refinery could have come under surveillance by terrorists.

The department bulletin points to three specific incidents. First, a person in a kayak was possibly video taping a refinery in northern Puget Sound. The same company's security personnel, according to Homeland Security, reported a suspicious encounter with a diver; and someone stole a key ring from a refinery truck with pass keys to refinery gates.

Dave Bond of Skagit County Homeland Security says a couple of warnings from Homeland Security have mentioned local refineries in his county. But he says there has been no specific threat and he has received no warning about any specific refinery.

Congressman Rick Larsen, who's district includes four of the state's five refineries, told KOMO 4 News the Department of Homeland Security has spent approximately $65 million improving security at refineries and other oil distribution facilities. Larsen also noted that two of the refineries in Whatcom County have spent $2.5 million of their own money improving security.

Larsen says the warning points to the fact that the terror danger is not always to densely populated areas. He said the loss of a refinery would have a devastating impact on the region's economy, and he fully supports Homeland Security's efforts to increase security.

Tim Hamilton, of the service station watchdog group AUTO, agreed with Larsen about the potential impact on the economy. Hamilton said even a small glitch in refinery production can send prices up $0.25 to $0.50 a gallon. Hamilton said loss of a refinery for a protracted period of time could easily create gas prices of $4.00 a gallon or higher.

Security at the facilities appeared to be relatively high on Thursday when KOMO 4 News took pictures of a refinery from a state highway. Within seconds, two company security trucks were on the scene, followed a few seconds later by a representative of the Department of Homeland Security.