NW OKC Homeowners Concerned About Clean Up After Oil Spill

The effects of an oil pipeline rupture are still being felt in a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood. Crude oil spewed onto nearby houses in the Silver Hawk subdivision three weeks ago, and some homeowners are concerned that current clean-up efforts are not enough.

Oil from a Sunoco pipeline flew up to a quarter-mile in the windy conditions, and has since been mostly cleaned up, but lingering impacts remain.

“At this point we feel like Sunoco ETP is holding summer hostage,” says homeowner Mike Schueler, whose home was in the direct line of fire from the facility.

For days, a yellow film coated everything outside. Crews have since power-washed his home and those of his neighbors, but his family's plants are now either dead or dying and oil still seeps into his roof.

He says, “We got a roofer out who hopped up there and he said it was so slick he had to change his shoes to avoid slipping off.”

Additionally, everything the Schuelers were planning to use for summer fun was destroyed.

“We had to throw away our trampoline. My girls play on that everyday,” Schueler says. “We had to throw away our sand box, our grill we bought just two weeks before the accident. None of that stuff can be cleaned.”

His concern now is getting it replaced. The oil company has agreed to reimburse Schueler for the items, but only after he signs a statement freeing them of further responsibility, like replacing his roof. He does not know when he could even expect to see a check if he signs.

“I’m a single family income,” says Schueler. “I’ve got three kids. My wife homeschools our girls. I don’t have the money to front all those purchases.”

Neighbors have banded together to hire lawyers to ensure they make a fair settlement. They are just hoping to maintain their property values.

A Sunoco representative said in a statement: “As we have said from the beginning, we will not be done in the area until each homeowner is satisfied with our clean up and remediation efforts.”

To connect with Sunoco for clean-up help, call the hotline at 855-430-4491.