Should the feds help in situations like the gas main explosion in California

[davidinalameda]

I was reading something and the author made what I thought was a good point about federal declarations of emergencies being made too often, for lack of a better phrase

what type of situation should trigger a federal declaration of emergency

[Jack Bone]

1. I think that's up for the President to decide.

After they get a request from the Governor(s). If they screw up, like the Bush's did w/ hurricanes, then they have hell to pay.

[BeFree]

2. Could it have been avoided?

Yes. Such outcomes are highly predictable.

The feds could have helped by making sure, years ago, that the piping did not deteriorate and explode like it did.

But remember, we just had 8 years of bushco style -- corporate freedom. This corporation failed and bushco allowed it to happen.

[Ernesto]

3. Did the fed bail-out BP?

PG&E is Nor Cal's own version of BP. Let the "free market" take care of it's own profit driven self.
Call out the lawyers! PG&E created the mess, let them repair it.