Sample News Story

A barge was transporting fuel oil Wednesday afternoon when it struck a

rock and leaked some oil into the Hudson River just south of Athens in
upstate New York.
The barge is owned by the Newark, New Jersey based Howell Fuel Co.
and was traveling north from New York Harbor to Albany carrying more than
2 million gallons of oil. The rock was part of a jagged ledge just below the
surface of the river and tore a hole in the barges oil tanks that was just
below the water line.
Athens and several surrounding cities take drinking water from
reservoirs that get water from the Hudson River. The Upstate New York Water
District supplies water to the area and is in charge of the reservoirs. David
Harris, supervisor of the Upstate New York Water District, said he is unsure if
the spill will affect the water supply.
Well have a better idea whats going on after we take samples down
river from the spill, said Harris.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Charles Snyder said it does not look like a
major spill.
We do not know yet how much oil escaped. It does not look like a
major spill, however, said Snyder.