SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Nearly five months after the devastating natural gas line explosion in Salem Township, the company that operated the line answered questions from the public.
A special meeting was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Marion Hall of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Crabtree.
Brian Gordon, who lives 1,200 feet from the explosion site, attended the meeting. His house was one of many that sustained damage. Since the April explosion, windows have been replaced and siding has been repaired, but he hopes those affected are not forgotten.
Gordon recommended that the company revisit the people they settled with to see if they’re satisfied.
“If they’re not, they can give them additional compensation or additional information about health problems or anything that might happen in the future,” he said.
Salem Township supervisors hosted Tuesday night’s meeting. Representatives from Texas-based Spectra Energy, along with state and federal regulators, were also on hand.
During the meeting, which was open to the public and included a question-and-answer session, it was revealed that the gas line that exploded had been corded for years.
The 265-mile pipeline runs from Delmont to New Jersey. Spectra Energy officials released early investigative findings that indicate corrosion caused the explosion. A growing hole in the tape coating was named as a major contributor. That tape was used in pipelines from the 1970s to the early 1990s, including the Westmoreland County pipeline, which was built in 1981.
Spectra Energy officials said the corrosion wasn’t severe enough to require immediate attention, but it continued at unprecedented levels.
James Baker was severely burned when the natural gas pipeline exploded behind his home near the intersection of State Route 819 and U.S. Route 22.
Spectra said the incident in Salem Township prompted new programs and more assessment of the lines in order to try and prevent more trouble.
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Cox Media Group
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