Statement: Lawrenceville pipeline spill underscores need for transition to clean energy future

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Leak that went unnoticed for too long is a reminder of fossil fuel dangers

Environment Georgia

ATLANTA – A pipeline run by Kinder Morgan Inc.’s Products (SE) Pipeline Corporation leaked diesel in Lawrenceville, possibly for weeks, before authorities finally discovered it last week. 

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reported that it took three days to find the leak after it was determined on Feb. 22 that a smell in the Gwinnett County neighborhood was diesel fuel. While there is supposed to be a pipeline leak detection system, it appears to have failed, according to the Pipeline Safety Trust.

Environment Georgia State Director Jennette Gayer issued the following statement: 

“This dangerous leak is a reminder that it’s long beyond time for Georgia to transition from dirty fossil fuels to a clean energy future. The diesel fuel and gasoline that runs through this pipeline, which was manufactured in 1968, could and should be a relic of the past as Georgia and the rest of the country make major investments in clean electric transportation. 

“Environment Georgia will be part of ‘Electric Vehicle Day’ at the Georgia state capitol where we’ll be working to help speed the electrification of our transportation system. Getting more clean electric vehicles on the road will clean up our air, protect our health and combat climate change.  With renewable energy sharply on the rise, it just doesn’t make sense to put our communities at this kind of risk any more.”

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