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After Leak, Lawmaker Demands Safer Pipelines

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

In light of Monday's breach of an ammonia pipeline by a treasure-hunting teenager, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor asked the federal Department of Transportation to make such pipelines safer.

Castor, D-Tampa, sent a letter Wednesday to the transportation agency's acting administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Krista L. Edwards, asking why the emergency shut-off system in the Riverview pipeline failed.

Castor also asked for better protection of above-ground portions of pipelines transporting hazardous material.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says charges are pending against the 16-year-old boy who punctured the pipeline, forcing the evacuation of about 300 people near the Alafia River and U.S. 301.

Investigators have not identified the teenager, who was burned over nearly 20 percent of his body.

After the leak, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, asked federal transportation officials about security for the nation's 160,000 miles of aging pipelines that carry gasoline and other materials.

Castor's request focused on Hillsborough County, which she said has the second-highest concentration in the state of pipelines carrying ammonia, jet fuel and natural gas.

The same pipeline was breached in 2003 by a methamphetamine producer, she noted.

"I am very concerned with the failure of the emergency shut-off system in this case and the above-ground exposure of this pipeline," her letter says.

Information from Tribune archives was used in this report. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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