Be The Change Writes Second Response to the Firestone Explosion

567 Replies

Photo from One News Page

 

Subject: Second request for an independent investigation of the causes of the Firestone explosion and the risks of reoccurrence 
5/3/2017

Dear Governor:

We appreciate that you are taking the risks associated with the Firestone explosion seriously.  And while we are loath to play the dog in the manger, we think your response as presented in the Denver Post has weaknesses borne of your need to respond to the public outcry in a timely manner.

We again request, as in our original letter of 2 days ago, an independent investigation.  We think the public’s interest can only be served in this way, with an independent investigative panel empowered to hold hearings and gather information free of any outside influences.

Government’s first and primary function, as you know, is to protect public health and safety. That responsibility cannot be shunted off to the oil and gas industry. Such a regulatory formulation, given the circumstances at hand, is unacceptable.  Indeed, in our opinion, oil and gas’s control of the playing field contributed to this disaster, and we are not convinced that their economic interests will allow them to be disinterested investigators.  In fact, the concept is laughable.  Think of Upton Sinclair’s expose of the meat packing industry in The Jungle as instructive.
Thus, our recommendations are as follows:

It seems highly unlikely that Anadarko, with its after-the-fact claim to be closing its lines out of an “abundance of caution,” can be relied upon to clean up what some observers believe is an Augean mess.  For instance, we do not understand why Anadarko would not have analyzed the reasons for production shortfall and taken corrective steps if gas production was below anticipated or historical levels when the Firestone well was reopened.  If any reasonable analysis were undertaken, wouldn’t they have discovered the open valve to the old line they somehow forgot(?) to close?

Our citizen experts think it was more likely a problem with the cement-on-steel seal–an integral part of every well construction that chronically fails over time and for which no solution exists.  How a leaky well seal, a commonplace, especially on older wells, and an open valve to an abandoned line may have intersected in creating the tragedy is unknown, but should be investigated thoroughly. This odd and suspicious coincidence, combined with the chronic well seal problem, should cause any reasonable person to ask how many wells are there out there that have closed off or abandoned lines, and how safe are the seals and valves at the wells that close off those old lines?  Indeed, how safe are the seals and valves at wells to working lines?  What is the life expectancy of well seals and valves? What are industry SOPs on inspection and replacement? We cannot and should not let the industry answer these questions absent independent public oversight.

There are other open questions as well, but this is front and center at the moment given what has been reported in the press. Corrosion of old lines also worries us.  What protections are in place to insure that old lines, thought to be steel, are still safe? And what is the life expectancy of the steel lines and the newer plastic lines?   And of course there is the overarching question of when is the state going to address the total lack of inspection of gathering lines and transport lines, of which there are many thousands of miles?  It shakes our confidence further when the COGCC’s Director Matt Lepore tells us they don’t have good information on the location, age, and disposition of oil and gas supply lines in the field.

I don’t think it is wild eyed to suspect either a cover up to keep wells working or something approaching criminal negligence.  This rush to final judgment without hearings in which technical experts can add to the fire department’s assessment is unseemly.  Moreover, Matt Lapore’s assurance another incident is unlikely to occur doesn’t carry weight.  He is a lawyer, not an expert, engineer, or scientist with deep technical knowledge.

The ringing question is still, what is the risk this incident exposed, what holes did this incident expose in the state’s regulatory framework, especially with regard to seal, valve, and pipeline inspection and safety, and what standards are used or should be used to assess risk?  The public in fracked cities and communities, from experience, have no confidence in the COGCC or Director Lepore.

Government has to take this lack of confidence seriously.   After all, government’s first constitutional duty, as we said at the outset, is to assure the public’s health and safety.  Until an independent risk assessment is made, and independent experts can review the information and the decision process, it will continue to look and smell like a quick burial of public concern, coinciding with the burial of the two young men killed tragically by an incident that government assures us is unlikely to reoccur.  We are not persuaded, and with good reason.

Finally, we welcome your understanding that there is a giant loophole in the state regulations regarding developers.  The oil and gas industry, without a request for variance, which can be granted, must observe setbacks of 500 feet from homes and 1000 feet from schools, hospitals, and some other high occupancy buildings.  Yet this standard is not applied to developers.  Forget for the moment, as the COGCC recognizes, there is no scientific evidence to support the present industry setbacks–they are simply cosmetic and in response to public alarm–how can the state look the other way in allowing setbacks of only a 150 feet for developers in some instances, and maybe none at all, in others? In fact, our intelligence is that some houses have been built over old abandoned wells and gathering lines.

Is the issue here public safety and the protection thereof, or is government trying to placate the developers at the same time it is playing a different placating game with the oil industry and yet another placating game with homeowners, city and county governments, and others sitting on top of various oil and gas infrastructure??  Your promise that the state will look at this loophole is not convincing.  If the 500 and 1000-foot setbacks are minimums for the oil industry, how can they be any different for the developers?  That loophole should be closed without delay if indeed it is the public’s health and safety we are interested in.

Thanks you for your attention, and we look forward to your reply,

Phillip Doe
Environmental Director
Be the Change

567 thoughts on “Be The Change Writes Second Response to the Firestone Explosion”

  86. cheap real jordans

    I received my bag yesterday along with They look and feel great significantly I’m so pleased with my purchase no matter what Thank you for the bag and it was a pleasure doing business with you guys.

    Reply ↓
  88. cheap jordans for sale

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. and even the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. just like the I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. an invaluable what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap jordans for sale https://www.realcheapretrojordanshoes.com/

    Reply ↓
  89. cheap real jordans online

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. or maybe the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. particularly I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. in either case what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap real jordans online https://www.cheaprealjordansonline.com/

    Reply ↓
  92. cheap real jordans

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. as well the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. much I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. blue jays what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap real jordans https://www.cheapauthenticjordanshoes.com/

    Reply ↓
  98. cheap retro jordans

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. and even the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. which includes I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. you ultimately choose what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap retro jordans https://www.cheaprealjordanshoes.com/

    Reply ↓
  100. cheap jordans for men

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. actually the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. for instance the I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. in either case what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap jordans for men https://www.cheapretrojordansshoes.com/

    Reply ↓
  103. cheap jordans online

    I’m always looking for web sites that sell real jordans. I’ve purchased several jordans over the last year. or simply the jordans are always perfect, the shipping time is very prompt, and the communication is excellent. like the I highly recommend this site to anyone who’s looking for real jordans. an invaluable what I especially like it is the information they have on their Release Dates page. This really helps me stay in tune with what’s going on in the world of jordans.
    cheap jordans online https://www.bestretro-jordans.com/

    Reply ↓
  105. cheap jordans for men

    I received my shoes yesterday. This is the first time ordering shoes from this website and I am definitely satisfied with them. or maybe I would give this website a 20 on a scale from 1-10 and would certainly recommend this site to all. similar to the reduction I will definitely be purchasing more items in the future. no matter what It has been a pleasure.
    cheap jordans for men https://www.jordanb2c.com/

    Reply ↓
  109. jordans for cheap

    I received my jordans yesterday. This is the first time ordering shoes from this website and I am definitely satisfied with them. or a I would give this website a 20 on a scale from 1-10 and would certainly recommend this site to all. choose to I will definitely be purchasing more items in the future. in any event It has been a pleasure.
    jordans for cheap https://www.realjordansretro.com/

    Reply ↓
  115. cheap real jordan

    This site is the truth. I’m always on checking release dates, but I never bought from this site. or maybe A lot of people said good things, so I ordered a pair and they were delivered to my door before I could even buy clothes to go with the sneakers. which includes Very fast shipping. direction You guys have a loyal customer.
    cheap real jordan https://www.cheaprealjordan.com/

    Reply ↓
  116. cheap jordan shoes

    This site is the truth. I’m always on checking release dates, but I never bought from this site. and also A lot of people said good things, so I ordered a pair and they were delivered to my door before I could even buy clothes to go with the sneakers. similar to the Very fast shipping. manner in which You guys have a loyal customer.
    cheap jordan shoes https://www.airretrojordans.com/

    Reply ↓
  117. cheap jordans for men

    This site is the truth. I’m always on checking release dates, but I never bought from this site. maybe A lot of people said good things, so I ordered a pair and they were delivered to my door before I could even buy clothes to go with the sneakers. which includes the Very fast shipping. blue jays You guys have a loyal customer.
    cheap jordans for men https://www.cheapretrojordan.com/

    Reply ↓
  119. cheap retro jordans

    This site is the truth. I’m always on checking release dates, but I never bought from this site. or else A lot of people said good things, so I ordered a pair and they were delivered to my door before I could even buy clothes to go with the sneakers. choose the Very fast shipping. no matter what You guys have a loyal customer.
    cheap retro jordans https://www.cheapjordansstore.com/

    Reply ↓
  121. retro jordans shoes

    This site is the truth. I’m always on checking release dates, but I never bought from this site. or maybe a A lot of people said good things, so I ordered a pair and they were delivered to my door before I could even buy clothes to go with the sneakers. which include the Very fast shipping. either way You guys have a loyal customer.
    retro jordans shoes https://www.retrojordansshoes.com/

    Reply ↓
  397. buying cialis generic

    Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and
    said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the
    shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Reply ↓
  447. Copper scrap reception

    Environmental compliance in copper recycling Copper is widely used in electrical applications, including wiring, because of its excellent electrical conductivity. In fact, copper is one of the most conductive materials known, surpassed only by silver and gold. The reason copper is such a good conductor is its unique atomic structure. Like all metals, copper has a lattice structure, which is composed of tightly packed atoms. However, in copper, the outermost electron in each atom is not tightly bound to its nucleus, but is instead free to move through the crystal lattice. These free electrons, commonly referred to as “electron sea”, are able to move easily through the lattice, which makes copper an excellent conductor of electricity. In addition to its high conductivity, copper is also very ductile and malleable, making it easy to shape into wires and other components. It is also highly resistant to corrosion, which is important in electrical applications where wires are exposed to the elements. Another advantage of copper wires is their low resistance, which means that less electrical energy is lost as heat as it flows through the wire. This is important, particularly in high-power applications, where efficiency and loss reduction are critical. Finally, copper is also relatively inexpensive and widely available. These factors combine to make copper the material of choice for electrical wiring worldwide Metal salvage center Copper scrap industry associations Green copper recycling Copper scrap industry insights Copper scrap education and outreach Scrap metal reusability

    Reply ↓
  448. Copper scrap analysis

    Copper scrap export and trade Copper is a highly sought after metal in various industries due to its excellent properties and versatility. It is widely used in electrical and construction industries, as well as in the manufacture of consumer goods and industrial machinery. Copper consumption has seen a steady rise in recent years, driven by growing demand from emerging economies and advancements in technology that require more copper production. The global copper consumption has been on a steady rise since the 1980s, with global consumption now around 24 million metric tons annually. Asia is the largest consumer of copper, accounting for over 50% of global consumption. China, in particular, is the largest consumer of copper, consuming around 11 million metric tons annually. The electrical industry is the largest consumer of copper by far, accounting for over half of all copper consumption. Copper is used in the manufacture of electrical wires, motors, transformers, and other electrical components. The construction industry comes in second, accounting for around a quarter of total consumption. Copper is widely used in plumbing, roofing, and building embellishments. Copper also finds extensive use in the automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications industries. Its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as its durability and resistance to corrosion, make it a popular choice in these sectors. The world has witnessed the introduction of electric vehicles, which are anticipated to increase the demand for copper production. Electric cars are expected to contain four times the amount of copper used in regular cars. The demand for copper is expected to increase as more countries invest in infrastructure construction, renewable energy generation, and electric vehicle production. Copper is a critical element in new technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines. The transition to renewable energy sources globally is anticipated to drive demand for copper in the coming years. In conclusion, copper consumption has been on a steady rise in recent years due to the increasing demand in various industries. Its versatility and unique properties make it highly sought after, particularly in electric vehicles as the world shifts toward renewable energy sources Scrap metal reclamation and utilization Copper scrap export permit Copper circuit board recycling Scrap Copper recycling machines Copper recycling industry Metal reclaiming and utilization center

    Reply ↓
  480. sklep online

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.
    I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come
    back from now on. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice
    holiday weekend! I saw similar here: Sklep online

    Reply ↓
  496. najlepszy sklep

    Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Cheers! You can read similar article here: Najlepszy sklep

    Reply ↓
  498. e-commerce

    Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?

    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Thank you! You can read
    similar article here: Dobry sklep

    Reply ↓
  511. Scrapebox List

    Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with
    Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get
    my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Cheers! You can read similar article here: Backlinks List

    Reply ↓
  527. Gino85

    Wow, marvelous weblog format!
    How long have you been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy.
    The entire glance of your website is wonderful, as well as the content
    material! I saw similar here prev next and it’s was wrote by Deonna00.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.