Carlsbad, New Mexico Pipeline Rupture Update:

• Press Release - U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks $2.52 Million Penalty Against El Paso Pipeline For Safety Violations in Pipeline Failure. June 21, 2001
• Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty & Proposed Compliance Order-El Paso Energy Pipeline Group. June 20, 2001
• Press Release
• Notice: issuance of advisory bulletin. August 25, 2000
• Corrective Action Order, El Paso Natural Gas. August 23, 2000

What Happened? What is the federal government doing about it?  How long will the investigation take? Was this accident caused by corrosion? Who regulates pipelines? Are pipelines inspected regularly?  Had the failed pipeline been recently inspected?  How old was the pipeline that failed? What is El Paso Natural Gas Company's compliance record?

Are the current pipeline safety laws and regulations Laws tough enough? Is there a way to check for corrosion in pipelines? Do federal pipeline safety rules require internal inspections of pipelines? How in-depth are the inspections? Where does El Paso Natural Gas Company operate? How far is the accident site from the town of Carlsbad? How can pipelines be tested? Are there other ways to inspect and monitor pipelines? Site Photos

Last Update 07/24/2001