To prevent an explosion like the one that killed 12 people whowere camping near Carlsbad last August, the New Mexico PublicRegulation Commission is expected to approve a study to review thecondition of all the state’s natural gas pipelines, which could becompleted before the end of this year.

In a regular commission meeting this week, Chairman TonySchaefer said he expects the study to be approved within a fewweeks, which would put it on a timetable for completion bySeptember. A portion of a natural gas mainline operated by El PasoNatural Gas Corp. exploded last August, killing members of twofamilies who were camping by the Pecos River in a remote area about30 miles from Carlsbad (see Daily GPI, Aug. 22, 2000).

Schaefer, who was elected chairman in February, said, “thingscould have been done differently,” referring to the explosion. “Irecognized then that (it) was an old pipeline.” Following theexplosion and subsequent investigation, the National TransportationSafety Board discovered corrosion in the 50-year-old line.

The pipeline study would review the condition and age ofpipelines, and any safety measures undertaken by companies. It alsowould include public hearings in Carlsbad and Roswell, along withwritten comments from companies that operate natural gas pipelinesin New Mexico, Schaefer said.

New Mexico’s jurisdictional responsibilities also could beincluded in the hearings, he said. Currently, federal authoritieshave jurisdiction over interstate pipelines while each state mayregulate transportation issues within its borders. Earlier thisyear, the New Mexico Legislature unanimously approved a bill togive the state more oversight of pipelines. Gov. Gary Johnson isexpected to sign it by the April 6 deadline. Schaefer said therehad been some “discussion” about the state taking over more federalinspection of the interstate lines.

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