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Author	Topic: More Than 3,000 Natural Gas Leaks Discovered In Boston’s Aging Pipeline System, Finds New Study Read	Post a Reply Back to Topics

skb69sa Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,497 Points:713,325 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:09:56 PM Ignore skb69sa Report Abuse There are more than 3,000 leaks in the natural-gas pipeline system that serves the City of Boston, according to new research from Boston University and Duke University. The new research is following on the heels of the devastating fires that were caused by natural gas leaks during Hurricane Sandy. Safety concerns have been raised because of potential flooding damage that may have been done to the gas pipeline pressure regulators located there. As a result of the research in Boston, more than 3,356 separate natural gas leaks under the streets of Boston were found. “While our study was not intended to assess explosion risks, we came across six locations in Boston where gas concentrations exceeded the threshold above which explosions can occur,” said Nathan Phillips, co-author of the study, Visit Clean Technica for full article

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There are more than 3,000 leaks in the natural-gas pipeline system that serves the City of Boston, according to new research from Boston University and Duke University.

The new research is following on the heels of the devastating fires that were caused by natural gas leaks during Hurricane Sandy. Safety concerns have been raised because of potential flooding damage that may have been done to the gas pipeline pressure regulators located there.

As a result of the research in Boston, more than 3,356 separate natural gas leaks under the streets of Boston were found. “While our study was not intended to assess explosion risks, we came across six locations in Boston where gas concentrations exceeded the threshold above which explosions can occur,” said Nathan Phillips, co-author of the study,
Visit Clean Technica for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,768 Points:593,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:14:55 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse dooooooh
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,525 Points:535,710 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:59:13 PM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Don't you smokers light up now!
DeserTBoB Champion Author California Posts:1,344 Points:202,150 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 2:13:19 PM Ignore DeserTBoB Report Abuse "Anyway yes cathodic protection would help." --- I find it alarming that cathodic protection was NOT added to their pipeline network in the 1950s! All telephone, especially the transconditnental coaxial cables of that area, ALL had catholic protection, and we maintained connectivity between the lead sheath and the cathode bed relgiiously...and telephone cables aren't hazardous!
DeserTBoB Champion Author California Posts:1,344 Points:202,150 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 2:10:19 PM Ignore DeserTBoB Report Abuse Two days after this article came out, a building in Boston blew up due to gas leaks. Gettin' bad back theyuh....ayuh!
sdslim Champion Author Florida Posts:1,890 Points:1,712,570 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 2:07:44 PM Ignore sdslim Report Abuse More exploding homes in the future.
nsdp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,117 Points:47,340 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 1:29:43 PM Ignore nsdp Report Abuse Springfield Mass has an explosion this morning.
SolarReplaceGas Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,010 Points:210,170 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:56:33 AM Ignore SolarReplaceGas Report Abuse I imagine the only reason they didn't find more leaks is because they quit looking. Infrastructure like this continually needs to be maintained/updated.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,777 Points:1,867,010 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 1:38:24 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse Natural Gas is just plain unsafe & should not be allowed inside any city !!! DO WE REMEMBER ALLENTOWN ??? DO WE REMEMBER SAN BRUNO ??? WHO WILL BE NEXT ????
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,059 Points:480,985 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:00:58 AM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse usually age isn't friendly to things, they have to be updated every so often..
nsdp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,117 Points:47,340 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:19:31 PM Ignore nsdp Report Abuse I think the web page got changed. Anyway yes cathodic protection would help. Boston Gas does get some help from Tennessee Gas as their lines are fully protected and over protected in that area. Bigger problem is that state PUCS have been reluctant to allow cost recovery unless the protection is some where mandated by NTSB. Distribution lines ar exempt from the Pipeline Safety Act. States Rights. Given BG's lost and /or unaccounted for volumes are about 2.5-3% depending on time of year, I would think that the Mass PUC should approve the replacement and cathodic protection on cost savings to customers even though rates will go up initially. Now is the time to do it while gas prices are low.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,609 Points:1,207,330 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:07:01 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse This seems to b3e the article attached to this thread: “Super-Sensitive,” Mobile Methane Detection Device A Boon For Public, Natural Gas Providers: PG&E Now Using It."
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,564 Points:1,174,075 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:00:51 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Had a large gas feeder line explode in NJ a few years back. Sure am glad that I did not live near the blowout. Those that did lost homes and more.
SUNOIL Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,255 Points:1,927,955 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 7:31:20 PM Ignore SUNOIL Report Abuse Time to head for the hills
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,056 Points:1,622,950 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 6:37:45 PM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse not safe to stay
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,531 Points:1,832,815 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 6:25:13 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Now that is dangerous.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,495 Points:1,558,725 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 6:18:47 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Boston's gas pipeline system needs to be fixed.
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,774 Points:789,630 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 5:42:59 PM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse beware!
Taxrefugee Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,412 Points:388,945 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 2:20:53 PM Ignore Taxrefugee Report Abuse Nothing lasts forever. Reminds one of the old FRAM oil filter "pay me now or pay me later"
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,084 Points:1,450,275 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 2:15:54 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse For decades, the US has ignored her infrastructure and failed to maintain it. Inevitably, as they continue, things will start to break down, which will cripple any economic recovery.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,304 Points:2,373,320 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 2:09:14 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse the old pay me now or pay me later syndrome at work
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:611,325 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:41:26 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Aging infrastructure that doesn't get maintained or repaired for lack of funds. Infrastructure and general funds that are diverted by cities, counties, states, and the feds to programs that, in and of themselves may be good, but which rely on the very infrastructure that is allowed to crumble. Catch 22.
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:8,416 Points:1,701,415 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:39:32 PM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse lots of jobs available to replace pipes
bcline909 Veteran Author Virginia Posts:401 Points:80,170 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:24:21 PM Ignore bcline909 Report Abuse really scary
gcalleja All-Star Author Miami Posts:924 Points:551,920 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:17:43 PM Ignore gcalleja Report Abuse Scary!
DeserTBoB Champion Author California Posts:1,344 Points:202,150 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 1:05:34 PM Ignore DeserTBoB Report Abuse It's not nat gas...it's FAHHHT gas from awl dem baked beans dey eat while dey watch DA HOPPUH!
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:10,382 Points:1,981,910 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:54:57 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse While the headline is trying to be a shocker - the article is really informative - and probably a bit of a pump for a IPO???
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,365 Points:1,245,375 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:46:16 PM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse In light of the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion, this shouldn't be too surprising.
CocoPaz Champion Author Santa Barbara Posts:2,385 Points:325,345 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:38:29 PM Ignore CocoPaz Report Abuse Great. We are praying for those of you on the East Coast.
Zuegma All-Star Author Nova Scotia Posts:998 Points:259,855 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:21:05 PM Ignore Zuegma Report Abuse It's not all that surprising as very few of the older lines have cathodic protection on them. Water lines are even worse. In a chat with a Public Utilities manager in our area he stated that a 75% delivery efficiency is about the best most cities & municipalities attain. Again no cathodic protetion used which is very near sited. The repair cost of replacement line far outweight the cost of using a cathodic protection system (systematically used for a few decades now in the oil pipeline industry).