Yesterday’s explosion of a natural gas pipeline in Minneapolis is again raising questions — at least locally — about the safety of our aging pipeline infrastructure.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports this morning that there was no obvious, proximate cause for the blast — no construction work or other disruption. The thing just blew up, and it may be months before we know why.
WCCO’s “Good Question” feature looks at the issue of pipeline safety, noting that there are only 100 federal inspectors to oversee 2 million miles of pipelines carrying oil, gas and other hazardous materials. In Minnesota, there are 12 engineers in charge of 65,000 miles.
About six months ago, following a natural gas pipeline rupture in California that killed seven people, a New York Times investigation found multiple reports raising alarms about a weak, ineffective oversight system for pipelines. The Times found:
It was also a ruptured pipeline that caused last summer’s oil spill into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. Rep. Fred Upton, chair of the House Energy committee, has pledged to hold hearings about pipeline safety and support legislation strengthening oversight.
There are currently two bills in the U.S. Senate, and one in the House, addressing pipeline oversight.
S.234, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would provide additional resources to the PHMSA, among other provisions. S.275, introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), deals more specifically with oil and tar sands issues. And H.R.22, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), sets tougher inspection standards and requires disclosure of pipeline locations and routes to the public.
Photo by Matthew Lewinski via Creative Commons