Bellingham pipeline accident remembered with national proclamation

I normally try to digest national news to make it relevant to Orange County and the San Juan Capistrano community. Since the tenth anniversary of the Bellingham (Washington) pipeline accident has just passed, it is appropriate to reference an article on the disaster in what remains of the Seattle Times newspaper. Please check it out:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/bellingham-pipeline-accident-remembered-with-national-proclamation/

An incident exactly like this in San Juan Capistrano is unlikely because of differences in geography. Our local geography is more dangerous because of the number of creek crossings, the population density and the potential seismic activity.

And then we have to consider the potential for development that brings digging such we witness along the Ortega Highway adjacent to the pipeline.

The pipe is still out there, operating. Most recently, it was dug up and re-buried at a deeper level in anticipation of widening of Ortega Highway. Today there is more grading, digging and water pipeline installation underway within 30 feet of the highway and less than 30 feet of the operating liquid fuel pipeline pipeline. Statistically, it is just this type of work that leads to pipeline ruptures.

Soon, the pipeline will fall within the San Juan Capistrano city limits, based on plans to acquire the Rancho Mission Viejo property at the corner of La Pata and highway 74.

Hopefully, everybody is being careful! Just don't ask questions. Read more!