DULUTH — Nearly 400 gallons of diesel fuel leaked into Lake Superior near Silver Bay during a tug and barge fuel transfer.
Diesel fuel spills into Lake Superior near Silver Bay
The nearly 400-gallon spill occurred during a fuel transfer near the Northshore Mining Co. facility.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 30, 2024 at 10:21PM
![The Edwin H Gott passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth on Tuesday evening as it began its journey on Lake Superior to the Canadian port of Nanticoke, which sits on Lake Erie. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com Despite a rebound this summer, cargo moving through the Duluth port is down 30% compared to last year. Ships passed under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on Tuesday evening.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/B5IRNL4S7W6ZGDXOEN6KLPV7RI.jpg?&w=712)
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in Duluth said the red dye diesel fuel spill May 29 was contained that night, and on Thursday the U.S. Coast Guard and the state agency continued to clean up and separate the two vessels. A vacuum truck is removing the fuel from the water.
Gallagher Marine Systems reported the 373-gallon overflow spill, which occurred during a fuel transfer between the tug and barge Clyde S. VanEnkevort. The oil spilled near the Northshore Mining Co. facility.
The pollution control agency said it will investigate potential impacts to the environment, wild and marine life.
The governor said it may be 2027 or 2028 by the time the market catches up to demand.
