In the aftermath of that Riverview youth drilling into an ammonia pipe – and resultant evacuations, school closings and environmental harm – talk has turned to pipeline vulnerabilities. A network of more than 900 miles carries gas and hazardous liquids regionally.
It’s been pointed out that a better job of protecting pipes can be done. Of course, it can. It always can – but at some point we reach cost-risk-odds scenarios. And the ultimate bottom line: You can’t fix stupid.