Feinstein and Boxer Crack Down on Pipeline Safey After San Bruno Blast
Categories: Environment, Government
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| This sucks |
While PG&E continues to try and locate important documents that could probably save other communities from a San Bruno-style blast, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) have introduced legislation to -- at the very minimum -- make people feel better about the natural gas pipes buried below them.
The bill, which was introduced on Monday, would double the number of pipeline safety inspectors and mandate the use of new technology to detect corrosion in pipes before it is too late.
It would also increase penalties for companies that fail to obey federal regulations, like keeping track of pipeline safety documents.
"Americans shouldn't have to worry that the pipes beneath their feet will explode," Feinstein said.
No, they really shouldn't, but they do -- and for good reason.
The legislation was rolled out a few days after Congresswoman Jackie Speier said she was "appalled" by PG&E's record-keeping. The company has not been able to produce the right records that would show where there are other weaknesses in pipelines across Northern California. These records could help communities prevent another blast like the one in San Bruno on Sept. 9, 2010, which killed eight people, destroyed homes and injured dozens of others.
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