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Thousands of Natural Gas Leaks Found In Boston

Posted by Soulskill on from the what-could-possibly-go-wrong dept.

poofmeisterp writes "Due to old cast iron underground pipelines, natural gas leaks run amok in Boston, MA. '"While our study was not intended to assess explosion risks, we came across six locations in Boston where gas concentrations exceeded the threshold above which explosions can occur," Nathan Phillips, associate professor at BU, said in a statement.' With 'a device to measure methane' in a vehicle equipped with GPS, Duke and Boston University researchers created a nice little map showing the methane levels in parts per million at different points in the city. 'Repairing these leaks will improve air quality, increase consumer health and safety, and save money,' study researcher Robert B. Jackson, of Duke, said in a statement. 'We just have to put the right financial incentives into place.' It looks like money is an issue. Imagine that."

7 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. "Money is an issue" by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm sorry, but money is always an issue for literally everything. We live in a world of finite workers and resources, and thus the abstraction of that, which we call money, is an important limiting factor on any task, no matter what the risk or rewards. The amusing irony is that treating money like its not a factor makes money more of a factor, by causing the limitations to appear at unexpected times.

    1. Re:"Money is an issue" by jhoegl · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Finite eh?
      1.6 mil workers in USA not employed.
      Plastic/Steel/Copper pipes. I think Steel and Copper can be recycled.
      Cost is valued based on revenue generated, not based on "Finite resources".

    2. Re:"Money is an issue" by sjames · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We always manage to find money for war (including the war on some drugs) and the TSA.

      Unlike those, fixing the leaks would have a quantifiable benefit in addition to the more difficult to quantify safety improvements.

      I would suggest spinning it as a potential terrorist threat, but fear the 'solution' would be DHS patrolling the streets confiscating lighters.

  2. How about not wasting gas into the air? by ZeroSerenity · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What? Is that not enough of an incentive? If it goes into the air, you cannot sell it or make money off it.

    --
    For those who seek perfection there can be no rest on this side of the grave.
  3. Financial Incentives by Greyfox · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You mean other than your property not exploding? I think your property not exploding qualifies as a financial incentive, doesn't it? Like if I told you "You need to fix this gas leak or your property will explode," I'm pretty sure you'll want to fix it.

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  4. Given that this is Boston... by runeghost · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Someone should attach a circuit board along with some wires and blinking lights to the gas pipelines. That should get the government right on top of the problem.

  5. Re:Thousands what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "leaks" you fucking moron
    Learn to read for fuck's sake.
    3,300 natural gas leaks