Officials suspect Angus Petroleum as source of spill

A Huntington Beach petroleum plant may be responsible for an oil spill late last month, according to state and federal officials.

According to Carol Singleton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Fish and Game, officials were nearly certain the oil came from the Angus Petroleum Corporation at 1901 California St., but were running tests before taking any action.

“We’re very sure,” she said. “But we have to be really thorough, so we’ve taken oil samples and we’re getting them processed through our petroleum chemistry lab. All indication is that it’s the Angus plant.”

If Angus is found responsible, it may be charged with illegally discharging harmful materials into state water or failing to report the spill to authorities, Singleton said.

She noted that Angus had not caused any problems in the years she had worked for the department and that its staff was cooperating with the investigation.

Robert Wise, a federal on-scene coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said he had little doubt that the spill came from Angus.

“They know they’ve got a problem, and they’re working with us to address the issues of where the spill came from,” he said. “They’re not really contesting that the oil originated from their property, but they pretty much know they’re on the hook.”

Angus officials declined to comment.

Crews from the city, state and others assembled Jan. 22 to clean the spill in a flood-control channel east of Beach Boulevard.

The crews set booms in the water to keep the oil from draining into the Talbert Marsh. Singleton said wildlife crews had collected 33 dead birds and one raccoon since the spill, although it was unclear if the oil had caused their deaths.

Wise urged people to contact the Department of Fish and Game or the Oiled Wildlife Care Network if they found an animal that appeared to be oiled.

The network can be reached at (877) 823-6926.