Proposed Pipeline Rules A Good Thing
Pipelines containing potentially hazardous liquid substances are subject to a proposal from the U.S. Transportation Department to implement new requirements for inspections in rural areas and the addition of more thorough leak detection systems and reporting.
There is also a stipulation to include extra work being done concerning inspections and maintenance work after weather related incidents such as floods and hurricanes.
This all stems from Pipeline ruptures in recent years and among other things the oil spill disaster into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan and other waterways from a ruptured line operated by Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Canada.
With new rules and regulations in place corrosion in pipes that can lead to rupture will have a much better chance of being detected and fixed before a breakage occurs. At least the damage can be restricted as once one part of the pipe lets go it is easy for the extensions that are adjacent to the breakage to also break.
There is also the issue that currently preventive maintenance inspections are performed in heavily populated areas for the safety of the people in that area. This is a good thing of course but pipelines are very long and in areas that are less populated there are still waterways and land that can be polluted beyond repair.
This all comes at a time that oil producing companies cannot afford the extra costs which would be very expensive but what better way to offer a good brand recognition as the world looks to “greener” companies to lead the way in the future.
Your comments and viewpoint on this matter are welcome and appreciated.
Terry Smeader
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