Liquid pipeline spills down 62% since 2001

Pipeline incidents in the U.S. have plummeted since 2001, according to data released today by the American Petroleum Institute and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. Liquid pipeline releases dropped 62% from 2001 to 2012, and spills caused by corrosion were down nearly 80% over that time period. Liquid pipeline operators have spent approximately $1.6 billion to evaluate, inspect and maintain their pipelines in 2012. Going forward, pipeline operators will have greater incentive to invest in safe transport of oil and gas in the wake of recent crude-by-rail incidents. The Department of Transportation is taking action on the latter, announcing on Tuesday that companies that transport oil via rail will soon be required to use cars that are less vulnerable to puncture than current DOT 111 cars. 

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