HOUSTON -- A newspaper investigation found more than half of the major natural gas transmission lines in Texas were laid decades ago and are vulnerable to failure.
The Houston Chronicle reported Monday that more than 25,000 of nearly 46,000 miles of transmission pipe were laid prior to 1970, some dating to the Great Depression.
The Texas Railroad Commission has imposed stiffer inspection requirements on pipeline companies than the federal government. The state agency is currently considering even more regulations.
The newspaper, which examined federal and state records, reports there is a shortage of government inspectors to get the job done.
Republican David Porter, who this month was elected to the commission, is among those calling for more pipeline inspectors.
