Sens. fight for escort tugs in Alaska oil trade

Valdez and Cordova residents will be pleased to hear that Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich introduced a bill Thursday to require oil tankers in Prince William Sound to be escorted by at least two tugs. The requirement has been in effect for single-hulled tankers since the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, though oil shipping companies have also used two tugs to escort their double-hulled ships through the sound's treacherous waters. Exxon's shipping company still runs a single-hulled tanker in the Alaska trade, but it's expected to be retired in 2012.

After that date, watchdogs fear the oil companies will decide to save millions of dollars by using only one tug to escort their doubled-hulled ships through the sound. Two tugs are safer than one. "The dual escort coverage of tankers operating in Prince William Sound has helped ensure we have the best oil transportation system in the world," Begich said in a joint statement with Murkowski Thursday. "The tractor tugs have proved their usefulness several times when tankers needed assistance. Their continued use is inexpensive insurance to protect the environment of Prince William Sound and maintain the flow of oil."