Yet Another Victory For Deregulation!!!

[ChoppinBroccoli]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110205/ap_on_re_us/us_pipeline_explosion_warnings


AP IMPACT: Explosion highlights lax pipeline rules
By MATTHEW BROWN and GARANCE BURKE, Associated Press
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – First, the pipeline exploded. Then the flames, like a blowtorch, set the neighborhood overlooking San Francisco Bay ablaze.

Flaming chunks of asphalt hurled into the air from the blast blew through the roof at Bill Magoolaghan's house. As he watched from a nearby hillside in San Bruno, one question came to his mind: Why can't someone stop the tower of fire?

"The gas flames were still shooting 300 feet into the air," he recalled thinking, 40 minutes after the Sept. 9 explosion.

One reason is that the line was not equipped with remotely operated or automatic shut-off valves that would have halted the gas within minutes of the accident — devices that federal safety officials have recommended to industry and regulators for decades.

(More at link)

[Angry Dragon]

1. I say give the corps all the deregulation they want

but then the execs then are libel for any deaths or harm that comes to people
or the land. They are held PERSONALLY responsible.
If someone is killed or hurt they are tried for murder or attempted murder.

[notesdev]

3. I'm with you on that

Regulation almost by definition is fighting the last war. Private interests will always be able to be more adaptive and flexible than government regulators (assuming they haven't simply bought out the regulators).

Liability is the answer. Let people do what they want but if they fuck up they pay the price. Regulations have a secondary effect that those who promote regulation as the answer to everything never mention; they are a liability shield to the regulated.

Take BP for example. Think they will pay more, or pay less, than if everyone harmed could have their day in court? The regulators that were supposed to be regulating them were watching porno on our dime instead.

Which brings me to another point - if we are going to have regulators, the regulators need to be held personally and criminally liable for failure to regulate as required by law (here's looking at you, SEC, Federal Reserve, FDIC).

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Well you see those valves were not required when

that line went in.

:sarcasm:

At least PEMEX had a better excuse after San Juanico, due to lack of maintenance they just failed to perform as expected.