A natural gas pipeline ruptured in San Antonio yesterday. Check out this slideshow and imagine that in your neighborhood.
Natural gas line rupture sparks dramatic fire
Another Significant Incident
Now comes the finger-pointing, the review of paperwork in search of missed wickets, the mea culpas, the recommendations for action, and another “significant incident” report will be closed and archived along with the thousands of very similar reports in the US DOT PHMSA database.
These “significant incidents” continue apace regardless of this regulatory show. The system will continue to be lauded by both industry and government as the safest possible due to the regulatory croquet course that regulators and industry have agreed upon. And as the number of miles of pipeline, wells, and infrastructure near humans increases the number of “incidents” per year will increase. This fact will not affect the encroachment of this industry on urban scenes, because anything the industry wants will be accommodated with, at most, an increase in the number of wickets in the croquet course. The question of whether this stuff should be permitted in urban areas is off the table.
Jerry Lobdill
Statistical Analysis of “Significant Incident” Data for Barnett Shale Gas Wells
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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So true. Thank you, Sharon, and thanks to Mr Lobdill, for this strictly accurate and eloquent analysis.
“Regulators become part of the sectors they regulate.”
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090507/NEWS01/905070358/1126