Comments
  • KeepItSimple September 12, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    See or get the bumper sticker: “HIKE NY STATE-Frack-Free Since 1788!”
    http://www.makestickers.com/DesignReorder.aspx?SK… Change “HIKE” to the verb of your choice! e.g.: “LIVE IN. . .” “CAMP IN. . .” “HUNT IN. . .” “SHOWER IN. . .”

    (This is an independent site, & I get no money from them.)

  • Brian T September 13, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    I watched a 30 inch diameter natural gas pipeline explosion in Huntsville, Ontario Canada, back in the 60's. It sent flames 500 feet in the air, blew a trench in the ground for near on 1000 feet and burned everything within 1000 feet of the trench. Chunks of pipe weighing over a ton landed over 1000 feet from the hole! Here is the good part, it took them over 6 hours to shut it off and let it burn out!
    This was Trans Canada Pipelines, one of the most reputable pipeline companies I know of. The failure occurred at the interface of a clay field with a granitic hill so possibly earth stress was involved.

    Ever since that day I swore I would never live within half a mile of such a pipeline.

    These pipes have now been replaced with heavier wall pipe, done in the 70's and the line has been twined for more capacity. It runs from Alberta to Montreal. Note that it runs at varying pressures as they use the pipe to store some of the gas needed at the end. At times I am told it can run at over 1000 psi. Natural gas is odorless by the way, they add the "smell" to it at the pressure reducing stations where it enters a town distribution network. The main line has no odor at all.

    Would anyone in their right mind live next to one of these pipes???

    Only if some snake oil real estate sales person did not tell them about it.

    Why and how do building permits and zoning restrictions allow housing literally on top of these pipes?

    Now in Huntsville, the pipelines pass under the Baseball diamonds for the town and within 25 feet of new houses… Crazy we are as Yoda would say.

    • admin September 14, 2010 at 2:47 am

      Hi Brian, I couldn't agree with you more–which is why, given the history of gas explosions (and I realize industry reports show that they're not necessarily frequent occurrences, but when they happen, they're deadly) and the recent accidents, and the push to allow fracking in the Marcellus Shale region, it's time for more transparency into the natural gas industry. While I can see the merit of not sharing the entire underground pipeline schematic, it would seem to me that it's the right of every homeowner to know what they are sitting on top of, or in close proximity to. Additionally, yes, I was aware that natural gas has no odor and that there is an additive put in to create the smell we're all familiar with. And thank heavens for that. When I look at the map in the post above that shows the interstate and intrastate pipelines, I look at the gulf coast region and can only marvel at the density of pipes and wonder what the coming years will bring…

  • Larry S September 14, 2010 at 7:39 am

    As a registered professional engineer, degree in electrical engineering but specializing in the field of Corrosion Engineering for 48 years, I have no problems living and/or working around a properly maintained Gas/Oil pipeline. A pipe line that fails, is one in need of maintenance, age does not play an important roll in a STEEL pipeline. I have worked on pipelines that were installed in the mid 1920's, which be the way are still in use and have not had any problems. Cut out the maintenance and you will have problems. I live in South Louisiana where pipelines are a way of life.

    • admin September 14, 2010 at 11:47 am

      Hi Larry, Thanks for your perspective on this. Generally speaking, I have faith in materials–such as steel–as well. But I do have some issues with maintenance in general and the condition(s) of the ground in which the pipelines lie. And, my main beef is that I just want to KNOW what I'm sitting on top of…

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