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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: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday September 18 2018, @11:36PM (7 children)
That case had arguable federal jurisdiction because of MSHA. This does not. Your argument is retarded.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 19 2018, @01:18AM
Takes one to no one
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday September 19 2018, @07:56AM (3 children)
Interstate commerce almost certainly applies. If farmers can be penalized for growing the wrong crops on their land under interstate commerce law, then gas companies can be held liable for safety standards under those same laws.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday September 19 2018, @11:24AM (2 children)
One blatant abuse of the commerce clause does not justify another.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by NewNic on Wednesday September 19 2018, @06:49PM (1 child)
Tell that to the judges on the Supreme Court, because they have used that abuse as justification for many more abuses.
lib·er·tar·i·an·ism ˌlibərˈterēənizəm/ noun: Magical thinking that useful idiots mistake for serious political theory
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:41AM
I'd have to tell it to them at my trial if I ever met them. Law enforcement types frown on clocking SCOTUS Justices and then pissing on them after they hit the ground.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 3, Informative) by DeathMonkey on Wednesday September 19 2018, @05:47PM (1 child)
That case had arguable federal jurisdiction because of MSHA. This does not. Your argument is retarded.
Yeah, the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration doesn't have federal jurisdiction.... Your argument is retarded.
Also, PHMSA is part of the DOT, not the EPA.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:47AM
Grand, so congress has illegally purloined authority in this area. I won't even argue that. I'll instead refer you to the fact that they can do fuck-all about what has already happened (they have zero executive or judicial powers). Then I'll inform you, again, that they are fucking grandstanding and taking both the heat and the spotlight off the people who are actually responsible and have power to get things done. All for political gain. You have no argument.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.