When a neighborhood in San Bruno, California was decimated by a giant fireball from an exploding natural gas pipeline last month, you probably assumed that the company which operated the pipeline had a plan for such emergencies (correct) and that the plan was open for review by local government officials and first responders, industry watchdogs and the public (wrong).
Apparently, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) doesn't require these companies to provide them with copies of these plans so no one can request to see the plans under any sort of sunshine laws -- including the city, county and state governments wherein the pipelines reside.
The PHMSA merely visit the plans at the offices of these companies.
There's a proposed coal waste power plant to be built just west of our area. These types of plants produce fly ash -- fly ash which will add to our already particulate-polluted air.
A new website has been created over the concerns raised by this proposed plant:
This year, the world's first global election is taking place, an election between earth and global warming. It's not about what country you are from, but what planet you are from. Your light switch is your vote. We need one billion votes for earth, because our planet is worth saving. Vote Earth by simply switching off your lights for one hour and join the world for Earth Hour.
And, locally from Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto:
Pittsburgh Shuts Off the Lights
Pittsburgh Joins International Effort to Combat Global Warming
PITTSBURGH – Under the leadership of Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto, the City of Pittsburgh will join millions of people around the world tonight in an international effort to combat global warming, “Earth Hour.”
In 2007, the first Earth Hour occurred in Sydney with 2.2 million people turning off their lights in a show of support for efforts to fight global warming. Last year, 50 million people joined the effort and lights were shut off at the Golden Gate Bridge, the Colosseum in Rome, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square.
This year, Councilman Peduto worked with leaders across the community to have Pittsburgh play a key role in this important show of support. A coalition of education, business, labor and community groups have joined together to show Pittsburgh’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The following organizations have agreed to participate by turning off lights in their buildings, turning off signs atop downtown skyscrapers, and sending letters home to employees, board members, and students.
Chatham University Carlow University University of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy Hospital PNC Bank BNY Mellon
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council United Steelworkers of America The Falk School The Environmental Charter School ePittsburgh Parks Conservancy Group Against Smog and Pollution Carnegie Science Center The City of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s participation in Earth Hour has been a community wide effort,” said Councilman Peduto. “I am proud of the many individuals who have taken a leadership role at the local level in promoting this global initiative.”
