An underground gasoline spill discovered in Walnut Creek last month is prompting a cleanup effort and investigation by several agencies.
Kinder Morgan, the pipeline operator, is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response and other local agencies to address the spill.
A compromised pipeline was first reported on Nov. 20 in the area of South Broadway in Walnut Creek. Preliminary findings determined the pipeline was compromised by a tree root system.
A report of gasoline odor was later made Dec. 2 in the Walnut Creek Flood Control drainage canal at the intersection of Walnut Creek and Arroyo channels, near the Iron Horse Trail footbridge south of Ygnacio Valley Road.
Initially the reports were thought to be unrelated, but recent analysis determined the reports were connected to the same source.
To facilitate the containment and cleanup process, the pipeline has been temporarily shut down from Concord to San Jose as remediation and air monitoring operations take place.
Preliminary analysis from the responding agencies found a potential discharge of between 31,500 to 42,000 gallons of gasoline.
No impacted wildlife have been reported or observed, but crews continue to monitor surrounding wildlife.
Hopefully prints are current . . . . .
Nice
Which machines might those be? Pro Tip: make some sense while you are ranting for example make it clear what you are ranting about. Thanks.
I don’t know much about pipelines, but I would think that there would be some sort of ultrasonic testing they could do to make sure there are no roots intruding into the pipes. I would think something like this would be included in a monitoring and maintenance schedule.
Human life?!! Clearly by your comment you could care less about our wildlife. So if you don’t care about our wildlife then you must not care about our planet. So sweet of you.
Texas based Kinder Morgan has one of the worst environmental records of all domestic energy firms. Over the last 20 years it has paid well over $1-1/2 BILLION in combined total fines for environmental crimes, workplace deaths & injuries, falsifying records, fraud, etc.
Kinder Morgan does seem to have problems dealing with the pipelines they are suppose to be responsible for.
Venting about the decline of the city is very much called for. Today there were gas leaf blowers operating excessively all over. The environmental impact is undeniable. Furthermore, the homeless were camped out eating at the tables that were blocked off from outdoor dining. Another fail by Emperor New World Order. Pro tips are for putting your fake eyelashes on, girlies. But here’s one for you: read the facts about all sorts of gas machines and people won’t have to explain.
Looks like the oh-so-Woke girls have been cooped up too long and have decided to pick on their wiser elders.
(I’m sure the Pittsburg Raiderettes know plenty about wild life in walnut creek, particularly the species that can’t walk in heels or balance in their heavy lashes on Friday nights)
I don’t know much about gas pipelines, but 30 to 40 thousand gallons of fuel any where near the water table can’t be good for wildlife or people.
mmmm, Kinders. Love their ball tip sandwich.
This is the same high pressure fuel pipeline that workers for EBAY MUD contractor hit with a backhoe, and the resulting spill caused a November ’04 explosion that killed 5 and wounded at least 4 others – all part of a water pipe welding crew near Newell Avenue and South Broadway.
This type of pipe has welded joints. The pipe would have to be seriously corroded or have other damage/problems for tree roots to cause a leak. It is not like a rubber gasketed clay pipe or a similar rubber gasketed iron pipe (typically used in low pressure sewer pipe) that tree roots (searching out for a water source) usually damage, but portions of this pipe could be up to 70 years old or older.
I think the local Authorities Having Jurisdiction from Concord to San Jose should get their collective acts together and demand a pipeline inspection over the entire length before we have an ignition of another undetected spill.
Shortly before Oakhurst was built, the Kinder Morgan pipe blew out creating an oil spill near what is now Eagle Peak Ave. Also, about a decade ago there was a pipeline leak and spill near Holly Dr, north of Kirker Pass. This line ships oil, jet fuel, and I guess, gasoline at various times. The pipe has a “T” near Holly Dr. and the other leg goes over the hill to Pittsburg.
I remember that tragic explosion right before the holidays. It shook my house and was so loud I thought our roofers dropped somehting. I went outside and realized they didn’t show that day. Looked over and there was a huge black cloud right by the elementary school. So my kids and I just had to go investigate. (I used to be a journalism major) One poor victim, who had been laid off, kept showing up to ask for work. They let him work that day. His wife puts flowers at that spot every year. So sad. PS….doesn’t AV Gas run parallel to the water pipe down Broadway exchange?
This doctor is pleading to be heard.
Pierre Kory, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at St. Luke’s Aurora Medical Center, delivers passionate testimony during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on “Early Outpatient Treatment: An Essential Part of a COVID-19 Solution, Part II.”
‘Ivermectin has emerged as an inexpensive wonder drug for Covid.’
https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/doctor-gets-heated-during-senate-testimony-we-have-a-cheap-drug-that-works-miracles-on-covid/?fbclid=IwAR08e0elZdL_E99DdauaWlA1szOXEChJdgP6EfqzEzyaCygTbulPTIrTm5o