Class Sues Over Years of Oil Spills

ST. LOUIS (CN) - A federal class action claims an oil pipeline leaked tens of thousands of gallons of fuel and chemicals onto neighbors' properties for years. The class claims Arco Midcon, Magellan Pipeline Co. and Wiltel Communications are responsible for the spills, which have not been cleaned up.

Named plaintiffs Glenn Henke and Linda Kluner say the pipeline leaked a substantial amount of fuel and chemicals over the years that are still damaging their properties.

The pipeline, built in the early 1900s, transported petroleum products until the early 1990s; now it's used for telecommunications cables, the complaint states. Due to its age and erosion, the plaintiffs say, the pipe has had several significant leaks, some of which spilled more than 55,000 gallons of petroleum products.

The leaks have contaminated their properties with benzene, the class claims. Benzene is a carcinogen and can injure blood and bone marrow and cause headaches, heart irregularities and other diseases.

The class seeks punitive damages and remediation. It is represented by John Simon.

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