Safety is one trigger in the heated debate over whether fossil fuels should be transported by pipeline. While the industry insists the method is safer than others, the spread of accidents since 1986 is substantial.
[Updated Dec. 9, 2016]
In the wake of the protests at Standing Rock, oil and gas pipelines remain as fraught an issue as ever. George Joseph writes, "Oil industry supporters argue that pipelines are safer alternative to hauling fuel by tanker trucks or freight trains. [...] Environmentalists, however, point to a lack of adequate state and federal regulation and the difficulties of maintaining millions of miles of aging pipeline infrastructure."
The statistics bear some of those worries out. "Over the last twenty years, more than 9,000* significant pipeline-related incidents have taken place nationwide, according to data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The accidents have resulted in 548 deaths, 2,576 injuries, and over $8.5 billion in financial damages."
[*Editor's note: A representative at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation contacted Planetizen to point out that the reported 20-year total of significant pipeline incidents is 5,675. Incidents deemed significant have resulted in 347 fatalities, 1,346 injuries, and $7.5 billion in costs. All data for pipeline incidents, significant and otherwise, are available online.]
Using federal data compiled by environmental advocate Richard Stover, CityLab mapped out all major pipeline accidents occurring from 1986 through 2016. "Significant pipeline-related incidents have picked up in recent years in certain states. In Texas, for example, the effects of the state's drilling boom may be seen in its increased accident rate: since 2009 the state has had 497 incidents, over a hundred more than in the seven years before."
FULL STORY: 30 Years of Oil and Gas Pipeline Accidents, Mapped
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.