Lawmakers and Regulators Demand Action on Ongoing Jet Fuel Leak at Joint Base Andrews
Congressional leaders and Maryland officials are pressing the Air Force for a swift end to a jet fuel spill that continues to threaten Piscataway Creek.
Background of the spill
The incident involved an estimated 32,000 gallons of jet fuel that leaked across multiple dates and locations earlier this year, according to a letter sent by lawmakers to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. Of that amount, the base reported that about 10,000 gallons were contained, while an estimated 22,000 gallons entered the environment, contaminating soil and Piscataway Creek.
Regulatory response
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), which enforces state environmental regulations, said it was not notified of the leak until March 23, when fuel odors and a sheen were observed near the creek’s headwaters. The base did not report the full extent of the discharge until April 8.
Following the delayed notification, the MDE ordered the base to conduct an emergency soil investigation, install monitoring wells, and remediate contaminated soil.
Continued contamination
Recent reporting by Inside Climate News found that water testing at several locations on and around the base detected “diesel‑range” hydrocarbons— a category that includes jet fuel—still entering Piscataway Creek. The base has not yet pinpointed the source of the ongoing leak, which regulators say hampers cleanup efforts.
Political pressure
In a letter dated Oct. 28, members of the Maryland congressional delegation criticized the Air Force’s cleanup, stating that “the Air Force has failed to fully contain the fuel spill” as shown by the MDE’s water testing. The lawmakers described the situation as “unacceptable.”
The delegation urged the Air Force to take immediate action to completely contain the spill, stop all sources of continued fuel discharge, and swiftly remediate contaminated soil and groundwater.
Local impact
Piscataway Creek connects Joint Base Andrews, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to the Potomac River near Fort Washington Park. The nearby Piscataway Park provides public access for fishing and recreation, making the ongoing contamination a concern for local communities.
Lawmakers and state regulators continue to press the Trump administration for information and decisive action to halt the pollution that threatens the creek and surrounding neighborhoods.
