Oregon governor declares emergency after Olympic Pipeline forced to shut down
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency following the temporary shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline due to a fuel leak discovered on November 17, 2025, in Snohomish County, Washington. The pipeline is crucial, supplying 90% of Oregon’s transportation fuel, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, transported from northern Washington across a 400-mile stretch. the leak has halted fuel transportation for about a week, coinciding with the peak Thanksgiving travel period in the U.S., tho the timeline for resuming pipeline operations remains uncertain.
In response, the governor issued an executive order to allow fuel to be brought into Oregon through alternative means, such as barges and trucks, with certain delivery requirement waivers to ensure steady supply across the state. While no immediate fuel shortages are expected, the use of these higher-cost delivery methods is highly likely to increase gas prices in Oregon, which already ranks as one of the highest in the nation. This emergency declaration will last through December 24, 2025.BP crews are actively working to locate and repair the leak, which marks the second issue faced by the pipeline in recent months.
Oregon governor declares emergency after Olympic Pipeline forced to shut down
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) declared a state of emergency on Monday due to the Olympic Pipeline being forced to temporarily shut down because of a leak.
The pipeline is a vital component of the energy supply system in the Pacific Northwest. It is responsible for 90% of Oregon’s transportation fuel, according to reports. The 400-mile pipeline transports gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from northern Washington into Oregon. A leak was discovered in the BP petrochemical pipeline in Snohomish County, Washington, on November 11, reported the Associated Press.
Fuel transportation has halted for a week. It comes just days before the busiest travel period of the year in the United States during the Thanksgiving holiday season. It is currently unknown when the pipeline will resume functioning.
“On November 17, 2025, a fuel leak was discovered in Snohomish County, Washington, which required the Olympic Pipeline to shut down for repairs,” Kotek’s office announced in a statement. “This pipeline is Oregon’s main source of fuel, and we don’t yet know when it will be back in service.”
“To ensure Oregon continues to have adequate fuel for transportation, emergency services, and aviation, the Governor issued an Executive Order, unlocking the ability to expeditiously bring fuel into the state through alternative methods while the pipeline is being repaired,” the governor’s office explained in the statement.
The leak is reportedly the “second time the Olympic Pipeline has faced issues in the last three months.” BP crews have been working on the site, attempting to discover what caused this month’s leak, according to the Associated Press. So, they have “excavated 200 feet” to try to find the source, representatives from BP said in a statement.
Kotek’s office announced that at present, the shutdown of the pipeline does not pose a threat to create any fuel shortages in the state.
“While the pipeline is shut down, fuel suppliers can deliver fuel into the state via barge or trucks to ensure communities have the fuel they need,” the governor’s office said. “This EO will allow the Oregon Department of Transportation to apply waivers for certain fuel delivery requirements to ensure supply is delivered across the state.”
Kotek’s state of emergency will remain in effect until Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025.
While assuring Oregonians that there will not be a fuel shortage, Kotek’s office announced that there could be an increase in the cost of Oregon’s already expensive gas prices.
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“Because fuel will be delivered through methods other than the pipeline, Oregonians may see an increase at the pump as a result of the higher-cost delivery methods,” Kotek’s office noted in the statement.
Currently, the price of regular gas in Oregon is $3.815 per gallon, according to AAA. This is the 4th-highest price in the nation and about 24% more expensive than the national average price for a gallon of regular gas, which as of Monday, is $3.069.
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