Suggested Reading: Pipeline Failures

I’m running short on time today— I’m leaving in a couple hours for a camping trip and will be away for the entire weekend with NO TECHNOLOGY (besides a camera, woo!). Honestly, I’m looking forward to it; expect a special post about my experience when I get back.

            So, I will keep this post brief, and I will have to skip out on manatees for today. Please check out past posts about endangered animals and feel free to do your own research! If there’s an endangered animal you want to see on Viridorari, be sure to email me at viridorari@yahoo.com or tweet at me (@viridorari) and let me know!

            For today’s Suggested Reading, I want to call attention to two recent events regarding pipeline failures; while both had minimal impacts (according to media), they serve as important warnings about pipeline dangers. Both of these incidents could have had a much greater effect on the environment and local communities.

            The first, a pipeline explosion, occurred Tuesday night (10/8) in Oklahoma, and all residents within two miles of the explosion were ordered to evacuate. The pipeline belongs to Northern Natural Gas.

            To read the Chicago Tribune’s article about the incident, go here. 

            For the Huffington Post’s footage of the explosion, go here.

            The second event is an oil spill discovered by a farmer on September 29^th in North Dakota. The State Health Department revealed Thursday (10/10) that 20,600 barrels of oil spilled into the farmer’s wheat field. Fortunately, the oil did not reach any sources of water. There was a hole in the twenty-year-old pipeline, which was believed to have formed because of corrosion. I think this case speaks to the need for more pipeline regulations, especially old ones.

            Read Prairie Business’s article about the incident here.

            Keep these incidents and many past spills in mind when you hear Keystone XL Pipeline supporters claim that there is little to no chance that KXL will ever spill. Our society needs to stop thinking only in the now and start thinking how our present actions will affect the future.

            Have a wonderful weekend!