Opponents of pipeline projects like Transcanada's Keystone often point to the risks of spill and injuries.
The truth is these incidents are very rare.
However, they do occur
We compiled data collected by the Department of Transportation since 2006 showing every "significant incident" in the country.
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DOT defines "incidents" as ones that included one of the following:
1) Fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization.
2) $50,000 or more in total costs, measured in 1984 dollars.
3) Highly volatile liquid releases of 5 barrels or more or other liquid releases of 50 barrels or more.
4) Liquid releases resulting in an unintentional fire or explosion.
Not every incident is the result of human error; some are the result of corrosion or natural causes.
Nevertheless, we think these data show the true costs of running pipelines across the country.
We took operator names as they are officially registered with DOT (so as to separate out subsidiaries) and ranked them according to incidents per mile of pipeline, with a cut-off of 45 incidents (again, since 2006).
Enterprise Products Operating LLC
No. of incidents: 139
Total pipelines miles: 36,371
Incidents per pipeline mile: 0.004
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: 12
Property damage: $104,798,031
Gross gallons spilled: 30,225
Net gallons spilled: 29,347
Source: DOT
Chevron Pipeline Co
No. of incidents: 47
Total pipelines miles: 7,756
Incidents per pipeline mile: 0.006
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $85,798,676
Gross gallons spilled: 33,071
Net gallons spilled: 26,553
Source: DOT
Marathon Pipeline LLC
No. of incidents: 47
Total pipelines miles: 5,133
Incidents per pipeline mile: 0.009
Fatalities: 1
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $41,321,616
Gross gallons spilled: 16,129
Net gallons spilled: 4,423
Source: DOT
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