Despite blast, township removes safety measure

You don’t need a massive highpressure gas pipeline explosion in your backyard to see the wisdom in a law requiring such pipelines to be set back a safe distance from homes and buildings, but it sure should help. Still, despite a fiery explosion last Monday (Sept. 11, “Landslide May Have Triggered Blast”) of the Revolution pipeline in the same ZIP code as Independence, Beaver County, the township supervisors of Independence apparently didn’t see the light.

Instead, the supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday to remove the township’s existing pipeline setback ordinance (Sept. 13, “Township Near Pipeline Explosion Removes Mandatory Setback Rules”), clearing the route of Shell’s Falcon Pipeline to cut through the area without being in violation of the ordinance. Prior to the explosion last Monday and the meeting Wednesday, new pipelines in Independence were required to be at least 100 feet from any residential home and 500 feet from any place of “public congregation,” such as schools, churches and other buildings that are not bomb shelters. The epicenter of the explosion last Monday was roughly 300 feet from the home it obliterated. After Wednesday’s decision, pipelines in Independence can get so close they can bite you. Or blow you up.

The illogicality of the decision to remove a setback requirement, illuminated so strongly by the blast last Monday, screams for an explanation. Sadly, not many are raising their voices. I was one of only three Beaver County residents in attendance who offered commentary on the matter before the vote was cast. It seems that at every level, from citizens to townships to county and state officials, there’s little willingness to demand the most we can from Shell or any of the oil and gas companies profiting from our land. I don’t altogether mind them coming here, but why can’t it be more on our terms and with safe setback distances respected?

DANIEL RUBINO Vanport