This morning, an explosion occurred on the Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline in Salem Township, Westmoreland County injuring one person and decimating a nearby home. The explosion occurred near the intersection of of Route 819 and Route 22 in an area that drains to Beaver Creek– just north of the Youghiogheny River watershed. Owned and operated by Spectra Energy, the Texas Eastern is a major transmission line transporting natural gas from the gulf coast to New Jersey. The pipeline is 36 inches in diameter in the area of the explosion.
Several months ago the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a fine to Spectra Energy for deficiencies associated with the Texas Eastern pipeline. While today’s incident is currently being investigated and the cause of the blast has not been determined, this morning’s events in Salem Township serve as a stark reminder of why we should keep all fossil fuels in the ground and shift toward an entirely renewable energy future.
“Dirty fossil fuels pose an enormous and deadly threat to our communities and the environment. Their extraction, transport, and consumption pose an unacceptable level of risk. These fuels, including natural gas, should be kept in the ground,” stated Krissy Kasserman, Youghiogheny Riverkeeper.
“The climate impacts caused by fossil fuel extraction along with the significant and immediate risks posed to local communities are too great a risk for local, and often rural, communities to bear,” stated Stephanie Novak, Community Organizer. “Citizens and taxpayers cannot continue to bear the cost of extreme energy extraction. We must transition to a clean energy future now.”
As part of our Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project, MWA has been working with residents in communities to increase public awareness and participation during the development of infrastructure including pipelines, well pads, and compressor stations. In Salem Township, Apex Energy (PA) LLC has submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection permit applications for five well pads, which will also require additional pipeline infrastructure. Without an oil and gas zoning ordinance, Salem Township residents must rely solely on state regulations without any additional protections for setbacks, noise and light pollution, heavy truck traffic, and public health.
Photo credit: Tim Hummel