Although pipeline explosions have killed and injured hundreds of people in recent years, federal regulators rarely fine operators after major incidents.
Unfortunately, lax enforcement is likely to continue, at least as long as the Trump Administration maintains power.
Only 10% of Pipeline Explosions Have Resulted in Federal Fines
The federal Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) regulates the nation’s vast interstate pipeline network.
Yet according to E&E News, the agency has only issued fines in 13 of 137 explosions and fires that occurred since 2010.
What’s more, the fines in ALL 13 incidents totaled just $5.4 million. That’s less than a single day’s profit for TransCanada Corp., the company that owns the Keystone XL pipeline.
It’s also about $2 million less than the yearly salary TransCanada paid its CEO.
“They’ve never been a particularly aggressive enforcement agency,” Rebecca Craven, program director at the Pipeline Safety Trust, told E&E News. “I don’t know why.”
Pipeline Explosions Have Killed 300 People Over Last 20 Years
In the past 20 years, pipeline explosions have killed over 300 people in the United States and injured at least 1,200.
Just last week, for example, a 24-inch gas pipeline exploded outside Energy Transfer’s Waha Gas Processing Plant in Coyanosa, Texas.
The blast sparked a massive fire that burned for hours and sent two contract workers to the hospital.
Pipeline Enforcement Not a Priority for Trump Administration
Unfortunately, such incidents could become far more frequent in the near future. That’s because the Trump Administration has gutted many regulations intended to prevent pipeline explosions and spills.
Earlier this month, for example, Trump’s pick to head the PMHSA indicated he wasn’t interested in increasing pipeline enforcement.
“It is not as though we are going to inspire further carefulness with punitive measures,” Howard Elliott told a group of oil and gas industry lobbyists.
During Elliott’s tenure, his agency has blocked an Obama-era proposal that would have regulated pipelines in modestly populated areas for the first time.
Additionally, the PMHSA proposed eliminating the current classification system that requires pipeline operators to implement extra safety measures in high-density areas.
Contact Our Undefeated Pipeline Explosion Lawyers for a Free Consultation by Calling 1-888-603-3636 or CLICK HERE
Our Undefeated Pipeline Explosion Lawyers have won over $1 billion and successfully represented more than 1,000 explosion victims in Texas, Louisiana, and throughout the United States.
If you have questions about your legal rights and options following a pipeline explosion or accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
All consultations are free, and because we only represent clients for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.