Florida Classifieds

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Pipeline Inspector-Turned Whistleblower Calls Keystone XL a Potential “Disaster”

ThinkProgress -- After forcing a White House decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, Republicans are being lambasted for undercutting the Federal environmental review process.

Now a whistleblower is claiming the company overseeing the development of the project, TransCanada, also has a track record of undercutting quality at the expense of the environment — further calling into question the decision by Congress to prevent a new Federal Environmental Impact Study.

Mike Klink is a former inspector for Bechtel, one of the major contractors working on TransCanada’s original Keystone pipeline. Instead of actually addressing problems, Klink claims he was fired by Bechtel in retaliation. He filed a complaint with the Department of Labor in March 2010.

As an inspector, my job was to monitor construction of

Read the Full Article

Submitted Feb 10, 2012 By: Martinman

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Pipeline Inspector-Turned Whistleblower Calls Keystone XL a Potential “Disaster”	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)

First

Next Last

honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,984 Points:1,249,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2012 6:14:22 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse I've always been wary of TransCanada's heavy push. Glad to hear the my suspicions were right from the start.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,522 Points:1,741,020 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 4:35:10 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse There is a GB member, who posted very early in the discussion (his replies have since been bounced-off), he knew Mike Klink, and had no reason to believe that what Klink had written, was not true. [Edited by: Martinman at 2/13/2012 4:36:32 PM EST]
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,984 Points:1,249,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2012 6:03:51 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse maybe all those who clamor for "build it yesterday" will take some notes. Of course, there's always the "he did it b/c he wanted to retaliate against the company." Just funny how there's an attempt to fast track this pipeline and get it through under the big radar.
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,960 Points:330,050 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2012 2:34:49 AM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse Since the regulators and inspectors have been cut back these past 30 years it's left to the whistleblowers -- the American way.
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:11,932 Points:2,356,940 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 10:52:52 AM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse Not a good endorsement
pbug101 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:812 Points:239,020 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 8:59:09 AM Ignore pbug101 Report Abuse ok
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:26,097 Points:1,985,410 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 3:12:22 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Some say it’s bad to build the pipeline and risk the environment, others say it’s good for the sale of oil, more jobs and the more personal income it will provide. Big oil will sell fuel and natural gas on the world market for higher prices, there will be NO price reduction for the cost of fuel or natural gas IN the US. Barry will support natural gas and oil production for sale to help pay for his ‘spending gone wild’ addiction. The US ‘oil and natural gas resources’ belong to the citizens of this country and are to be used by those same citizens! Speculators, manipulators and the banks continue to unfairly and unjustly make the driving public pay higher prices at the pump for their benefit. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle is, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
TWS658 Champion Author Portland Posts:3,521 Points:748,550 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 2:12:33 AM Ignore TWS658 Report Abuse Ok.
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:18,269 Points:1,875,420 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 1:56:17 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse PDQBlues - "This pipeline is such a potential disaster that even the citizens and property owners of the midwest are against it. They know that contaminated water means death." That and the fact that sending Canadian crude to Texas will increase the cost in the Midwest and increase fuel prices here.
badspots Champion Author Houston Posts:1,563 Points:412,920 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:11:23 AM Ignore badspots Report Abuse Ok.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:3,752 Points:1,203,060 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:09:02 AM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Contractors often cut corners with any project and do not tell the company that hires them. It is money in their pockets. That is why government inspectors are suppose to do their job and report any problems. This does not mean that Trans Canada is at fault but those doing the inspections on the pipelines are responsible if they did not shut it down and order corrections.
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,035 Points:309,190 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:09:02 AM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse I've been for the construction of this third phase of the Keystone pipeline since the beginning, however the more I read and investigate on my own the more doubt I have as to the value of this project to the American public. Regardless if we believe the whistle blower inspector or not, the company which will own and operate the pipeline appears to have a poor track record with other similar pipelines and this is something that cannot be glossed over or explained away. Pipeline leaks are not "normal" and a well operated pipeline doesn't spring leaks like that. Compare with any number of other pipelines that criss cross the U.S. and see if those have had as many problems, even in harsh conditions such as in Alaska. We do not need another BP or Exxon Valdez on our hands, especially since the responsible parties seem to never pay for the full value of the damages they cause and rely instead on the taxpayers to pick up part of the tab. We already pay too much for gas and oil, should we also pay for an oil company's safety lapses? Then there is the fact that the oil which will flow through this pipeline will apparently not benefit the American public since all of it will be sold to other countries and simply flow through the U.S. on it's way to other places. The only benefit may be from some tax or fee imposed on the oil which will go to the government. The claim of the pipeline creating more jobs is coming into question now as well since some of the materials used in past pipelines owned by this same company have come from foreign suppliers. Even if the quality of the materials is as good as American made, are they helping to create jobs when they buy materials from foreign sources while local factories layoff their workers?
jdc17327 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,411 Points:142,970 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:06:13 AM Ignore jdc17327 Report Abuse okay
bcok Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,553 Points:1,380,700 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:03:32 AM Ignore bcok Report Abuse What happened to safety? Having been able to u reach this -already trouble. Keep it away from any human population.
tampacrvdriver Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,731 Points:362,350 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2012 12:01:03 AM Ignore tampacrvdriver Report Abuse This changes my mind about it.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:1,473 Points:239,405 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:58:50 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Good post Martinman!!!
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,505 Points:1,075,470 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:58:27 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Interesting.
njerald Champion Author Seattle Posts:6,019 Points:1,272,525 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:58:04 PM Ignore njerald Report Abuse What a crock!!!!
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,116 Points:238,375 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:56:53 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Investigate anyway
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,012 Points:764,065 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:56:19 PM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse As usual, follow the money to find the problem.
JesseJack52 All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:612 Points:124,640 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:53:45 PM Ignore JesseJack52 Report Abuse Houston, we've got a Narc on board!
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,364 Points:183,735 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:50:08 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse I agree with Carman ...
tidalwave3 All-Star Author Tallahassee Posts:586 Points:1,136,465 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:47:00 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse he said , she said ????
Beaveronparade All-Star Author Hartford Posts:984 Points:295,500 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:42:46 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse Very interesting article. I'm all for the pipeline so I like to learn all I can about it.
ysmc Champion Author Providence Posts:8,752 Points:1,693,710 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:33:14 PM Ignore ysmc Report Abuse propaganda
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:510 Points:116,845 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:31:34 PM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse Klinky business.
gj35 All-Star Author San Diego Posts:683 Points:496,405 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:29:42 PM Ignore gj35 Report Abuse With wind, solor, and electricity, why do we need oil?
chuck sr All-Star Author Tampa Posts:598 Points:791,920 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:27:00 PM Ignore chuck sr Report Abuse God Help Us!
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:14,879 Points:2,674,765 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:22:00 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse It is so much easier not to have it.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,376 Points:1,390,440 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:19:31 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse no union workers maybe it would be built better..?
FlogNut Champion Author Chicago Posts:90,705 Points:1,649,225 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:14:49 PM Ignore FlogNut Report Abuse With all of this "shoddy" construction just where are all the leaks?
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,615 Points:442,435 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:12:23 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse It's unfortunate.
bif65 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:792 Points:138,075 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:07:30 PM Ignore bif65 Report Abuse ok
craigsfrank Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,748 Points:570,745 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:06:29 PM Ignore craigsfrank Report Abuse Let's see, this inspector a Democrat??? I'm thinking so....
theschmuck Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,991 Points:1,224,310 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:04:54 PM Ignore theschmuck Report Abuse Good article 'martinman', stops and makes you think a bit doesn't it.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,545 Points:1,323,185 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:04:32 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse So he says but where are the other engineers.
freerobert Champion Author California Posts:1,044 Points:988,765 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:01:53 PM Ignore freerobert Report Abuse They need to do it right the first time. Don't need substandard materinal for the pipeline.
crowefamily1 All-Star Author Texas Posts:797 Points:293,755 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 11:00:33 PM Ignore crowefamily1 Report Abuse so says the liberal media.
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:5,647 Points:1,146,545 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:58:52 PM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse With all the money that B P is paying for the junk in the gulf do you think this would had happen. This story reads like it came from nobama supporters.
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,825 Points:397,270 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:56:04 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse I agree with this comment from Lea from right after the article: "Lea Matthews says: January 5, 2012 at 10:36 am I recently read an article that says we are exporting more oil than we are importing. So all the talk about there being such a shortage that we have to accept this pipeline, or drill in Gulf coast or Alaska are pure bunk. If we kept the oil here instead of exporting it and combined that with higher demands for cars MGP regulations it sound like to me we would be okay. Oil is finite, it will run out sooner or later so why don’t we make steps now to replace it with green energy solutions..."
ratones1 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,604 Points:395,280 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:53:42 PM Ignore ratones1 Report Abuse HUM...
gumbyrex Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,502 Points:400,470 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:53:10 PM Ignore gumbyrex Report Abuse Interesting article. But is this just "sour grapes"?
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,475 Points:331,645 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:53:06 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse GIVE ME A BRAKE!!!!!! I am going outside to see if the sky is falling!!
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:17,405 Points:2,011,270 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:48:28 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse the liberal media gives disgruntled ex-employees a fancy name now. people trying to get even for being fired or passed over for someone else...
Yankee829 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:534 Points:213,480 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:48:02 PM Ignore Yankee829 Report Abuse That's what happens when you try to rush things without paying attention to details. Stuff happens.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:5,252 Points:1,088,225 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:47:48 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse This pipeline is such a potential disaster that even the citizens and property owners of the midwest are against it. They know that contaminated water means death.
mrreferee All-Star Author Savannah Posts:652 Points:266,240 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:47:45 PM Ignore mrreferee Report Abuse make the pipeline to our specs, trans Can will have to bite the bullett
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:11,739 Points:1,082,320 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:41:35 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse These accusations are disturbing. I just wish this story was from a more credible site. Would you not be skeptical if the American Petroleum Institutes website said that tar sands oil had little pollution? No you would question the credibility of the site.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,522 Points:1,741,020 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:41:31 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse zaq001 from atlanta forgot to read before he posted... "LOL....what a load of garbage. Ask him about the Environmental Impact Assessment, the Security Assessment, and the numerous state level impact studies. Not to mention the numerous studies that occur before the pipeline actually goes into use. This is a complete farce." . Doh! Personally, I think people should do their homework, before they engage in character assassinations. Part of the Environmental Impact Statement analysis, requires a review of the potential for various mishaps over life of the pipeline, and their impacts. Part of that process includes a review of similar pipelines, as well as the company's previous operating history. So with that in mind, guess what. The Keystone pipeline has a history! The following information is taken directly from the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the Keystone XL pipeline, by Cardno Entrix of Australia. All reportable spills/leaks are included in this section, starting on page 3.13-11, Table 3.13.1-4. This EIS was compiled by a company hired by TransCanada, to "help assist" the State Department. From the assessment of leaks along the U.S. portion of the Keystone pipeline that has been completed, here is the listing of reportable leaks/spills from this very same Keystone pipeline Mike Klink writes about, taken from the EIS report that was completed last year. During the first 12 months of operation, that segment of the Keystone pipeline within the U.S. had FOURTEEN (14) reportable spills at pump stations: Keystone XL - Phase I (Canadian border to Steele City Nebraska, to Wood River Illinois, to Patoka Illinois) 21 May 10 – 5 gallons [Carpenter, SD](failure of a 1-1/2” below ground fitting connected to a mainline isolation valve) Segment from Steele City to Wood River completed June 2010 23 Jun 10 - ~100 gallons [Howard, SD](leak occurred at PS site during maintenance from a small fitting attached to the sump pump) 10 Aug 10 - ~2 gallons [Freeman, SD](Failure of a 1” fitting attached to a pig trap receiver) 19 Aug 10 – 10 gallons [Hartington, NE](failure of a 1/2” above ground fitting.) 05 Jan 11 - <2 gallons [Andover, SD](leak occurred when a station pump seal bearing started seeping oil) 08 Jan 11 - <3 gallons [Doniphan County, KS](source of the leak was a seal (packing) on a 6” valve) 31 Jan 11 - <10 gallons [Turney, MO](source of the leak was a seal failure on Pump #2) Keystone XL - Phase II (Steele City Nebraska, to Cushing Oklahoma) completed February 2011 03 Feb 11 - <15 gallons [Cushing, OK](source of release was a temporary vent gas separator) 11 Feb 11 - <100 gallons [David City, NE](source of release was seal failure during maintenance activity on pump seal)) 23 Feb 11 – 10 gallons [Udall, KS](source of the leak was a valve seal on a drain line of a pump suction line) 08 Mar 11 - <5 gallons [Brampton, ND](source of the leak was a pump unit bearing housing) 16 Mar 11 - 12 barrels [500+ gallons][Seneca, KS] (source of the leak was a pump seal failure) 07 May 11 – 500 barrels [21,000 gallons] [Brampton, ND](source of the leak was a 3/4" diameter pipe nipple failure) Woo hoo! We have a “crowd pleaser” folks. The NRC report states that 5 barrels were “sprayed off-site impacting neighboring properties [plural] to the south...” 29 May 11 - ~420 gallons [Doniphan County, KS] (source of the leak was a 1/2" nipple located on a pressure transmitter) That was the last spill or leak reported at the time the EIS data were compiled. A couple of disturbing trends emerged in reviewing these data. 1. ALL these spills occurred at - you guessed it - those very same pumping stations that Mike Klink blew the whistle on. 2. Over time, the spills have become larger. 3. Most of the larger spills were grossly under-reported, and then later “revised” by TransCanada when the spill was investigated. 4. One spill involved property outside of the pipeline easement, and several have required removal of contaminated soil/ground from the impacted areas. 5. The last two spills (21,000 gallons, 420 gallons) both occurred at pump stations that previously had spills (spills #6 & #14 at Doniphan County, KS; spills #11 & #13 at Brampton, ND). The 21,000 gallon spill at Brampton ND, occurred in less than 2 months after the first. The 420 gallon spill in Doniphan County KS, occurred 5 months after the first spill. 6. Witnesses of the 21,000 gallon leak, reported a “six-story geyser” http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_dae7b66e-e0c5-5677-9acd-0773efb0d8d1.html . So, you tell me. IS 14 spills in 12 months "acceptable" by any standard - on a pipeline that was [then] LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD? Furthermore, Gas Buddy member AuburnTim posted early this morning in this very article (reply now bumped off) that he personally knows Mike Klink who is also from Auburn Indiana, and has no reason to not believe what Mr. Klink has written. .
LegoVasavouchi Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,168 Points:79,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 10:40:19 PM Ignore LegoVasavouchi Report Abuse Fascinating.