Safety

The newest of the five California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulators, Timothy Alan Simon, with the usual safety and environmental qualifiers, came out last Tuesday strongly in favor of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being sited in California, and for natural gas being viewed as a key component of what he termed the “blue bridge to a new green economy,” giving it equal standing with energy efficiency and renewable energy resources — the state’s two mandated top energy choices.

The newest of the five California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulators, Timothy Alan Simon, with the usual safety and environmental qualifiers, came out Tuesday strongly in favor of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being sited in California, and for natural gas being viewed as a key component of what he termed the “blue bridge to a new green economy,” giving it equal standing with energy efficiency and renewable energy resources — the state’s two mandated top energy choices.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) last week approved the recommendations of its staff outlining a natural gas riser safety policy. All Ohio natural gas distribution companies (LDC) are to begin implementing the guidelines immediately.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Wednesday approved the recommendations of its staff outlining a natural gas riser safety policy. All Ohio natural gas distribution companies (LDC) are to begin implementing the guidelines immediately.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last Tuesday cited the inaction of Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSEG) as the “probable cause” of an explosion and fire on a natural gas distribution line in Bergenfield, NJ, that caused three fatalities, injured five persons and destroyed an apartment building in December 2005.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Tuesday cited the inaction of Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSEG) as the “probable cause” of an explosion and fire on a natural gas distribution line in Bergenfield, NJ, that caused three fatalities, injured five persons and destroyed an apartment building in December 2005.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation and Safety Board are conducting an investigation into how a tugboat hauling two barges struck an underwater natural gas line belonging to Gulfport Energy Inc. in West Cote Blanche Bay, LA. The incident on Thursday triggered an explosion that killed at least four people and left two other people missing and feared dead. One barge was carrying chemically treated lumber; the other was hauling a mechanical crane and fuel.

Mark V. Rosenker last Tuesday was sworn in as the new chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency that investigates major transportation-related accidents, including pipeline mishaps.

Mark V. Rosenker on Tuesday was sworn in as the new chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency that investigates major transportation-related accidents, including pipeline mishaps.