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Pembina Exercise

 
Site Contact:
James Mitchell
OSC

(mitchell.james@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Joliet, IL 60527
 response.epa.gov/Pembina



The Pembina Cochin Pipeline is hosting a Full-Scale exercise on November 4th-5th, 2025 at 1471 Rock Creek Blvd, Joliet, IL. State, local and federal agencies will participate with a goal of fostering relationships practicing Incident Command System (ICS) principles. The scenario involves a utility contractor conducting underground cable installation along a roadside in Grundy County, Illinois, inadvertently struck the 12.75-inch Cochin Pipeline. The impact resulted in a significant rupture, creating a 10-inch longitudinal tear in the pipeline. The breach occurred near River Mile (RM) 256.5, where the pipeline crosses the Illinois River. Block Valve (BV) 1485 is located on the north side of the river, and BV 1488 is situated on the south side leaving 3 miles of pipeline between the two. A substantial volume of product was released from the pipeline and entered the Illinois River. The river flows east to west at an average rate of approximately one mile per hour. The released product is currently migrating downstream toward the town of Seneca, located at RM 253 in La Salle County, approximately 3.5 river miles from the point of release.

The Pembina exercise uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) environmental emergency response tool that brings public (Federal, State and local) entities and private sector emergency responders together for spill response and pre-planning.

During an emergency response, Federal and State On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) may use the program to gain situational awareness of downstream/downwind vulnerabilities, as well as upstream/upwind potential responsible parties and much more. For contingency planning, the project can introduce facilities to the communities which may be impacted during a hazardous materials and/or petroleum releases.

The program can also be used during exercises of facility response plans by providing participants access to response layers such as: endangered/protected species and habitats; sanitary and storm sewer systems; facility discharge and permit discharge points; water supplies; other pollution sources (facilities, oil wells, pipelines, rail lines, etc.); and vulnerable populations (schools, nursing homes, daycare facilities, hospitals, etc.).

To access this resource, please

Register Your Account Here First!

NOTE: You only need to follow this registration process (Step 1) once, but you will still need to contact each OSC for the states you want access to individually (Steps 2-3). If you have never accessed a resource on response.epa.gov, you will be redirected to your profile page on your first login attempt. Simply go back in your browser and click the link again.

  • 1. After pressing the button on the previous page, go to your Inbox and check for an email message from mail@response.epa.gov to confirm your account by following the link provided in that message. You have 48 hours to do this!.
  • 2. Then, send an email message with your request to Jim Mitchell (mitchell.james@epa.gov) and provide a description of why you want access to this resource, including your first name, last name, email address, organization, and phone number.
  • 3. Once you receive communication from Jim Mitchell (mitchell.james@epa.gov), return to this Web page, and click the button below to open the map.