An
ominous theme has emerged from the wreckage of a deadly pipeline Explosion in
California: There are thousands of pipes just like it nationwide. The pipe was
more than 50 years old — right around the life expectancy for steel pipes. It
was part of a transmission line that had an “unacceptably high” risk of
failure. And it was in a densely populated area. Thousands of pipelines
nationwide fit the same bill, and they frequently experience mishaps. Federal
officials have recorded 2,840 significant gas pipeline accidents since 1990,
more than a third causing deaths and significant injuries. Utilities have been
under pressure for years to better inspect and replace aging gas pipes many of
them laid years before the suburbs expanded over them and now are at risk of
leaking or erupting. But the effort has fallen short. Critics said the
regulatory system is ripe for problems because the government leaves it up to
the companies to do inspections, and utilities are reluctant to spend the money
necessary to properly fix and replace decrepit pipelines. The investigation
into last week’s San Bruno gas pipeline explosion is now focused on work that
was performed on a sewer near the ruptured line back in 2008. According to the
Los Angeles Times, the method used by the city to replace the sewer line is
known to pose risks to nearby pipes. The explosion, which occurred last
Thursday around 6:00 p.m. local time, shot a fireball more than 1,000 feet in
the air, and sent fire tearing across several blocks. According to a CNN report,
the blast sent concrete flying, and the heat from the flames melted tail lights
on cars blocks away from the blaze. The blast killed at least four people, and
three others are missing and presumed dead. About 60 people were injured.
Fifty-six homes were either severely damaged or destroyed. The fire damage was
estimated at $65 million.
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