Bradley Airport

Fuel Pipeline Impacted by Washout, Bradley Airport Affected

NBC Connecticut

Bradley International Airport is relying on trucks to haul in jet fuel after a crucial pipeline was shut down.

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Airport Authority says the pipeline was impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

While repairs are underway, the airport now requires fuel to be trucked in though it says at this point there has been no impact on flights.

“Both the fueling supplier and our airline partners are working collaboratively for continued operations," Ryan Tenny, Connecticut Airport Authority public information officer said in response to a question about whether there was any concern about the fuel supply at Bradley.

The pipeline is owned by Buckeye Partners which confirmed that back on September 2 it found that heavy rain had exposed its 12-inch refined products pipeline in Cromwell.

DroneRanger video captured a large washout exposing the pipe at TPC River Highlands.

In a statement, the company wrote in part:

“Buckeye crews immediately responded and, although the pipeline was already shut down, the affected segment was shut in and isolated. While the company is continuing to assess the pipeline washout, Buckeye has confirmed that there has been no product released.”

Buckeye says it has contacted authorities and is working with the fire department.

“Our primary focus is minimizing the impact to the environment and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.”

There’s no word yet when the pipeline will be restarted.

On Friday, the Connecticut Airport Authority released an additional statement:

A statement from the Connecticut Airport Authority:

“The Connecticut Airport Authority continues to work with a number of companies and agencies on a coordinated response to the effects of damage that was inflicted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Unfortunately, this damage has rendered the Buckeye pipeline, which distributes jet fuel to the airlines at Bradley International Airport, temporarily inoperable," the statement says.

"While the necessary repairs are taking place, the CAA has been able to coordinate with Shell and BP, the fuel suppliers, to secure trucking of jet fuel to the airport. We are working with additional partners to increase that capability in the short term. There are no current impacts to flight operations, and we continue to collaborate with the responsible parties to put in place alternative measures to avoid future impact. The CAA traditionally plays no role in the fuel distribution or supply chain; however, the CAA is being proactive and convening the relevant parties to resolve the issues in order to avoid any disruptions for customers and carriers," the statement goes on to say.

The CAA said it will be able to provide status updates by early next week.

A map on Buckeye’s website shows it running from New Haven up into Massachusetts with a branch that goes off to Bradley.

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