Pipe pressure before gas explosions was 12 times too high
The pressure in natural gas pipelines prior to a series of explosions and fires in Massachusetts last week was 12 times higher than it should have been, according to a letter from the state's U.S. senators to executives of the utility in charge of the pipelines.
Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey sent the letter Monday seeking answers about the explosions from the heads of Columbia Gas, the company that serves the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, and NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas.
"The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has reported that the pressure in the Columbia Gas system should have been around 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI), but readings in the area reached at least 6 PSI — twelve times higher than the system was intended to hold," the letter said.
The pressure spike registered in a Columbia Gas control room in Ohio, the senators said in the letter, which requests a reply by Wednesday.
See also: Columbia Gas pledges $10M toward relief efforts in Lawrence, Andover, North Andover
Previously: 60-80 Homes Burn; Gas Line "Incident" in Northern Massachusetts
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Snotnose on Tuesday September 18 2018, @10:23PM (2 children)
It was all those green lib'rulz trying to put methane back into the system, instead of just burning it off like they did as teenagers.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 18 2018, @11:03PM
Nah, it was the Rrrussians meddling with the gauges and sitting on the overpressure valves.
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Thursday September 20 2018, @12:14AM
buncha humorless mods today :(
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.