Natural Gas Explosion – Allentown, PA
There has been another natural gas explosion in the United States, this time in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Eight homes have been destroyed, one person confirmed dead and five more missing.
This explosion makes me wonder what neighborhood in what town will be next? We have neglected infrastructure for too long in this country, from the power grid to water and gas pipelines. I’m off to work right now, but thought I’d leave you a little piece from the Department of Energy – this didn’t really make me feel better.
Imagine a legion of small, autonomous and intelligent self-powered magnetic robots zipping along miles of aging underground gas pipelines, using cameras to visually inspect the interiors of large diameter transmission lines as well as distribution mains with diameters as small as six inches. Envision these wireless robots sending a live image of a weak spot to a computer-equipped operator on the surface and then making needed repairs before it becomes a safety hazard. …
… The Department began its research efforts to make the nation’s pipelines safer in September 2000 when it developed a roadmap for Natural Gas Infrastructure Reliability: Pathways for Enhanced Integrity, Reliability, and Deliverability. The roadmap was developed to identify the critical challenges of delivering natural gas and the appropriate federal action to address the challenges. The roadmap was updated in 2002 and most recently in February 2004 to reflect current changes in the industry and business environment. …
…The DOE program was fashioned largely in response to concerns that the nation’s million-plus miles of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines were aging, and the increasing need for efficient and reliable pipeline systems. Nearly a quarter of the nation’s gas pipelines are now more than 50 years old. According to the July 2004 Interstate Natural Gas Association of America report, An Updated Assessment of Pipeline and Storage Infrastructure for the North American Gas Market, approximately $19 billion of investment will be needed for replacement of current pipe simply to maintain existing capacity. …
A bit unsettling, to say the least.
OneMom
We had the same thing happen here last year in San Bruno CA. My heart goes out to those in Allentown whose lives have all but been destroyed, as well as the family members of those who have passed or are missing. These folks will need all the support they can get from the community. My wife and I will pray for them.
Martin
Hello Martin – the San Bruno explosion was the event that first made me start wondering about the condition of this particular part of our infrastructure. I cannot begin to comprehend the shock and grief the folks in these neighborhoods are experiencing.