By Theodora Filis A series of natural gas explosions have raised questions about the safety of the nation’s gas pipelines – now more than 50 years old. According to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), there are more than two million miles of pipelines in the US, delivering trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. The most devastating natural gas pipeline explosion occurred in September 2010, in San Bruno, CA when a 50-inch Pacific Gas & Electric pipeline, in a residential neighborhood, exploded and caused the death of eight people and injured fifty more. The resulting fires swept through the neighborhood, destroying 37 homes and damaging eight. The investigation found that the pipeline, installed in 1956, had numerous weld defects. From 2005 to 2009 there was an average of 282 significant incidences involving pipelines in the US including an average of 51 injuries and 14 fatalities. Pipeline fail
It is imperative we all pay attention to the impact of our collective and personal actions on the environment. During the next decade, our global community will be unable to deal effectively with the formidable environmental challenges posed by decades of environmental mismanagement. There are many environmental issues I write about in this blog, some will scare you, and it is my hope, these articles will give you a reason to question and search for answers.