Info about gas pipelines and ESPL
- Methane gas escapes and creates planet warming and climate change. Though natural gas produces half the carbon dioxide than its equivalent in coal when burned, its main component, methane, is a potent greenhouse gas when released uncombusted.
- Pipelines are dangerous and cause damages and deaths. On September 14, 2008 a 30” pipeline explosion in Appomattox, instantly destroying two homes and damaging 100 more; On September 9, 2010 a 30” pipeline exploded in San Bruno, CA destroying 38 homes and killing eight people. Read below for more recent examples of the dangers of gas pipelines.
- Natural gas pipeline explosions have killed hundreds of people, injured more than a thousand, and caused more than $5 billion in property damage. Between 1994 and 2013 there have been 5,623 “significant incidents” (costing more than $50K each), $6,700,203,540 in losses, 1,397 injuries, and 362 deaths
- Methane and other heavy hydro-carbons can enter ground water and thus drinking water. This pipeline threatens aquifers in Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne's Counties.
- Farms which are cut by pipelines often suffer from reduced crop yield for life. Read More.
- Inland and coastal wetlands remain an ecological resource for shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl and other aquatic species that call these regions home. Industrial and urban development between 1954 and 1978 severely impacted the region, with many salt marshes disappearing during this time and the over the last 200 years. Inland tidal marshes still do not have the protections other ecosystems in the region do. This pipeline will do more damage to already fragile and unique ecosystems in Maryland.
- Pipelines are often maintained by aerial spraying of herbicides which can cause many health problems in children and adults including Parkinson’s disease later in life. The spraying of herbicides can also be harmful to livestock and crops.
- The proposed Eastern Shore Pipeline will be 24” in diameter.
- A pipeline creates an inherent conflict with mortgages and property insurance due to the hazardous materials and commercial operations on/under a homeowner’s property.
- Pipelines cause reduced use of our land, lower land value, and reduced ability to sell, subdivide, or develop our land.
- Restrictions of the pipeline right-of-way are many: No buildings, No planting of trees, No roads, heavy equipment or trucks over the pipeline, No digging, No 4-wheelrs or dirt bikes down the right-of-way, and the restrictions go on and on.
- Technically anyone who owns property which the pipeline goes through will still own the land and pay taxes on it, but won’t be able to do much with it
- The pipeline can harm the groundwater for those on wells and contaminate the watershed into the Chesapeake Bay
- The pipeline, its construction, and its restricted right-of-way would negatively impact economic development everywhere along the route
- The volunteer fire departments on Maryland's Eastern Shore are not equipt to handle natural gas/pipeline explosion of the magnitude that could occur with a pipleline of this capacity
Pipeline Danger
The hidden dangers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (an Op-Ed)
February 8 2018
12-year-old killed, 4 others injured after house explosion in Texas
February 24 2018
Pipeline explosion in Noble County
February 1 2018
Father, son dead after farm equipment triggers natural gas explosion in northern Illinois
December 6 2017
Fiery gas explosion caused by too much weight on pipeline, utility reports
November 20 2017
Gas pipeline explosion in Refugio seen, felt more than 50 miles away
February 15 2017
Mississippi Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Picked Up By Radar
January 14 2015
February 8 2018
12-year-old killed, 4 others injured after house explosion in Texas
February 24 2018
Pipeline explosion in Noble County
February 1 2018
Father, son dead after farm equipment triggers natural gas explosion in northern Illinois
December 6 2017
Fiery gas explosion caused by too much weight on pipeline, utility reports
November 20 2017
Gas pipeline explosion in Refugio seen, felt more than 50 miles away
February 15 2017
Mississippi Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Picked Up By Radar
January 14 2015