Comment

Comment by ShaleShock on February 4, 2009 at 5:00pm

I haven't heard any information about the specific cause of the explosion, but I did read that the pipeline had been inspected quite recently before this with no problems, and that for quite some time the investigators didn't know what caused. Regardless of whether it was someone's mistaken digging or not, incidents like this show how volatile and dangerous these pipelines can be, if and when something does go wrong - regardless of cause it is still homes being destroyed and lives being endangered. With every new well drilled, there are thousands of feet of gathering pipeline to be dug, and the expectation of future development and supply increases has already led to large new pipelines being laid across our region - seizing farmer's fields with eminent domain. The question is - who decides what risks we live next to, and do we have any say in it?

Comment by May on February 3, 2009 at 8:20am

I've seen these photos circulating. Wasn't this a case of someone didn't call before they started digging with a backhoe? They also hit a major, high pressure line. It's terrible, but the OneCall networks are set-up for a very good reason.