July 25, 2016 Six years ago today, Line 6b, part of Enbridge's Lakehead Pipeline System, failed in Talmadge Creek, near Marshall, Michigan. It wasn't until six years ago tomorrow, July 26 and three work shifts later that Enbridge's control center and on-site staff figured out that what they had hoped was a column separation causing a pressure change in the pipe was in fact a rupture of the pipe … [Read more...] about Sixth Anniversary Thoughts on the Enbridge Spill in Marshall Michigan; comment opportunity
NTSB
Another pipeline incident anniversary – have things changed since 2009?
Question of the week – I think it was around this time in 2009 that a gas pipeline blew up in Palm City, Florida near a school. What really happened then, and have things gotten safer in the past 6 years? On May 4, 2009, an 18-inch Florida Gas Transmission Company interstate pipeline ruptured about 6 miles south of Palm City, Florida, releasing about 36 million cubic feet of natural gas and … [Read more...] about Another pipeline incident anniversary – have things changed since 2009?
Reflections on San Bruno, PG&E and the CPUC
Question of the week: I heard the California Public Utilities Commission levied a fine of $1.6 billion dollars against PG&E for pipeline safety violations relating to the terrible San Bruno pipeline explosion in 2010. Do you think this will make a difference and improve PG&E’s safety? Is that all that will happen? Reflections on San Bruno, PG&E and the CPUC In case you missed … [Read more...] about Reflections on San Bruno, PG&E and the CPUC
NTSB’s recent study on systemic weaknesses in gas pipeline safety
News media recently reported that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found continuing systemic weaknesses in gas pipeline safety. What does the NTSB have to say about where improvements are needed? The NTSB and the gas pipeline integrity management rules The NTSB is a congressionally-mandated transportation agency that operates independently to conduct objective accident … [Read more...] about NTSB’s recent study on systemic weaknesses in gas pipeline safety