Oil pipeline industry group says now is not the time to change safety rules

[Robbien]

Source: Michigan Public Radio

The head of an oil industry trade group says now is not the time to change the nation's laws that regulate pipelines.

. . .

"We think it's premature to issue new regulations or legislation based on these incidents," says Andrew Black, the president of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, "Because, we don't know enough about them yet. I can promise you...we don't want any incidents to happen. When they do happen, we consider them a learning experience."

The House Transportation Committee hearing will focus on Enbridge Energy's pipeline break in July that spewed more than 800 thousand gallons of crude oil near Marshall, Michigan. The spill forced the evacuation of hundreds of people. Crews are still collecting oil from the nearby Kalamazoo River. The clean-up is expected to wrap up by the end of the month. Though state and federal environmental officials concede the oil will be evident in the river for years.

. . .

The investigation into July's pipeline break near Marshall is expected to take a year to complete. Enbridge Energy is waiting for the go-ahead to restart their pipeline in Michigan

Read more: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1700399/Michigan.News/Oil.pipeline.industry.group.says.now.is.not.the.time.to.change.safety.rules

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Pipeline breaks aren't environmental disasters, they are learning experiences.

U.S. pipeline system ignored
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2010/09/14/US-pipeline-system-ignored/UPI-95401284472925/
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Energy companies in North America are spending more on new oil pipelines to the detriment of aging structures underground, an advocate warned.

Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge is scrambling to deal with a series of failures on its oil pipelines in the United States. Josh Mogerman, a communications director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told the Chicago Tribune that older pipelines in the country were getting neglected.

"We've seen this headlong rush to develop newer pipelines but we've not seen an investment in these (older) legacy pipelines, which need upgrades," he said.

In San Bruno, aging pipelines precluded safety tests
http://michiganmessenger.com/41898/in-san-bruno-aging-pipelines-precluded-safety-testsThe Los Angeles Times has a great story this morning on the natural gas pipeline that exploded in San Bruno last week, killing at least four people and destroying dozens of homes. It turns out the pipeline, which was installed in 1956, was too old to accommodate an inspection tool that experts say is the best option for ensuring the safety of pipelines.

This story underscores yet another problem with the country’s massive system of pipelines: it’s getting old. So old that many pipelines can’t accommodate the best technology for conducting inspections, even though the oldest pipelines need adequate inspections the most.
According to the story:

n in-line device known as a pig, which can run inside a large gas transmission line, could not be used in the 51.5-mile section from Milpitas to San Francisco because of bends and changes in the pipe’s diameter, PG&E President Chris Johns told reporters at a news conference.

[mike r]

1. There is no such thing as a bad spill

Bigger spills lead to greater learning. And one can never be too smart. :sarcasm:

[DJ13]

2. They might be more willing to face tougher regulations if companies get held responsible

Make it so expensive that the companies with poor maintenance leading to loss of life and property face going out of business and suddenly the entire industry will see that maintenance becomes a bargain.

[Vincardog]

3. Make them pay the fines out of executive compensation first; never pass them on to consumers.

[Robbien]

4. BigOil currently pays $20 mil for a safety and inspection fund

The WH wants to increase that to $40 mil.

BigOil is launching a huge PR and lobbying campaign to make sure no one votes to support the increase. More than likely this campaign will run into the tens of millions.

It is the principle of the thing to BigOil. No money for safety if that money can be otherwise be deposited into the executive bonus pool.

[liberal N proud]

5. So when would be a good time?

When they all fail?

[Javaman]

6. See, you didn't read between the lines...

If you look really close at that statement, the word "never" magically appears.

lol

cheers!

[madrchsod]

7. i was 9 years old when that natural gas pipeline was laid

almost half the population of the usa was`t even born yet. is there any wonder why our infrastructure is failing.