News

Concerns raised over pipeline safety in Westmoreland County

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa — Concerned citizens in the Salem Township area have planned a Wednesday meeting to discuss the massive pipeline explosion less than two weeks ago.

Serious questions were raised about safety after the explosion seriously injured a man who lived next to the gas line.

Weeks later, trees are being cleared for a new pipeline project that would stretch form Ohio and West Virginia to Eastern Pennsylvania through communities such as Houston and Delmont. At one point along the path, the pipeline would be just two miles away from the site of the explosion.

For years, Dean Law fought a national gas liquid transmission line though his 50-acre farm in Salem Township. Now, the nearby natural gas line, which owned by Spectra Energy, is raising his level of concern.

“My concern is that it’s a propane and butane pipeline, both of these products are two and a half times hotter,” Law said. “If there’s a leak up here. Guess where it’s going to go.”

RELATED: Gas line Public viewer

More than 300,000 miles of liquid and gas transmission pipelines will cross the United States.

“I think everybody agrees that moving these fuels through pipelines is probably the safest method, but things could go wrong,” said Carl Weimer, the executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust.

Since 1986, pipeline incidents in the Us have killed 500 people and injured nire than, 2,000. Critics said more than half the lines are at least 50-years-old.

"Even the regulators themselves said the regulations are minimal," Weimer said. "And if all you're going is meeting the minimum, that's not very good."

Pipeline operators said they are taking steps to improve safety. From installing remote-controlled shut-off valves, to using computerized devices known as smart pigs to check lines for corrosion and defect.

"I don't know moving might become more of a possibility," said resident Paul Hornyak. "That's pretty tragic, but fortunately no one was killed."

The pipeline is expected to be online early next year.