Senator Blocks Pipeline Safety Bill on Principle
Last year, I was driving home when the natural gas pipeline in San Bruno exploded. San Bruno is about 30 miles from where I live. People were calling it in to the news radio stations, but no one had any idea what it was. People thought a plane crashed. San Bruno is very close to the San Francisco International Airport. Eyewitnesses said it looked like a fireball. It took almost an hour to figure out that it was the gas pipeline. It was so hard to fight because of the constant stream of fuel. Shutting off the gas took almost an hour and a half. That nightmare explosion and fire killed 8 people.
A bill was introduced to strengthen the rules for oil and gas pipelines. Regulation. It got all kinds of opposition from the industry, companies, and Conservatives, right?
Wrong.
Industry trade associations like the Association of Oil Pipelines and gas companies like Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (of Kentucky, interestingly) support the legislation. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee voted unanimously on it.
What would it do?
Under the bill, federal regulators could order that automatic shutoff valves be installed on new pipelines so leaks can be halted sooner. And it directs regulators to determine whether mandatory inspections of aging pipelines in densely populated areas should be expanded to include lines in rural areas.
Would this cost tax payers a pretty penny? Nope. Industry fees would pay for it.
So why is Senator Rand Paul, Super Libertarian, the lone holdout?
Officials familiar with Paul’s objections said he has told lobbyists and company officials that he’s not opposed to any specific part of the bill, just to the notion of additional federal regulation.
Seriously? He won’t support an automatic shut off valve that can kill the literal fuel to the fire because he hates big government? Sorry, but that is insane. It gets even crazier. Last week, a natural gas pipeline ruptured in his home state, Kentucky. He still opposes it.
I embrace some things Libertarian – the live and let live philosophy, non-intervention, legalization of drugs. Regulation is one of the issues where we part ways. I believe it’s very important for the safety and economic protection of consumers.
The regulations here in CA are a lot stricter. This bill would bring more safety and oversight of oil and natural gas pipelines to the 49 other states. The industry supports it and is willing to pay for it. This should be a no-brainer for a Libertarian.
Message to Rand: Dude, we know you’re a Libertarian – the son of an OG Libertarian. And we know you hate the size and scope of the government. This is the thing – industry leaders and CEOs are telling you this regulation is cool. Relax. Your Libertarian card won’t be revoked if you vote for it.
September 29th, 2011 at 6:07 AM
The mindlessness of ideologues. It is without purpose or reason. The rest of Congress needs to shame him publicly and relentlessly.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:36 PM
I wonder if they will, though. It looks bad for their party.
September 29th, 2011 at 6:49 AM
Ah yes….one does have their principals.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:36 PM
And asbestos I guess.
September 29th, 2011 at 8:33 AM
Like a two year old who only knows how to say “No” repeatedly, Paul is much more considered with his contrarian reputation than anything that might make our lives better or safer.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Seriously. So contrarian that he doesn’t make sense anymore? It’s ridiculous.
September 29th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
It is apparently a tradition in the Paul family for male infants to be dropped repeatedly on their heads. For some reason it makes them think they’re important and can participate in killing and destroying people and ideas they disagree with. In a sane world they’d be lucky to get jobs cleaning street gutters.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:40 PM
You might be on to something with the dropped on their heads. Even without this, remember Aqua Buddha? Something is just not right with him.
September 29th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Can’t wait to hear what the little clown has to say about the canteloupes from Colorado that are killing people. It’ll be something like, “Destroy the FDA. Eliminate the Department of Agriculture. There’s not enough dead and sick people yet to keep doctors busy.”
September 29th, 2011 at 1:44 PM
I wonder what his take on that would be. Is the FDA OK in this case? Or would it be, “Sorry about the Listeria.”
September 29th, 2011 at 11:40 AM
This is what ideological blindness will cause – rational behavior.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Total blindness in this case.
September 29th, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Spinny,
That’s pretty unbelieveable.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Seriously, T. It just doesn’t make sense. Unbelievable until you actually see that he was the only one left against it.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Does not surprise me….I believe he also thought that free markets would have ended slavery…..lame…..
September 29th, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Shut up. Seriously?? Um that would have kept slavery forever. Free labor = less expenses = more profit. Wow.
September 29th, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Lobtoero & Spinny,
No. No Seriously, look up what Rand’s father, Ron, has said about Lincoln. He claims the Civil War was unncessary and that Lincoln could have simply purchased the slaves from the South and all would have been well.
September 29th, 2011 at 4:18 PM
Paul’s Easy Solution to Slavery
Why would slave owners agree considering the entire Southern economy was dependent on slavery?
September 29th, 2011 at 7:15 PM
My mind just exploded and is leaking out of my ears.
W
T
F
????????
I really don’t pay much attention to the Pauls because they are muy loco…….but DAMN! That one completely slipped my radar. Well that certainly puts a new slant on his hatred of the Civil Rights Act……………wow.
Mind.
Totally blown.
I need a drink now.
September 29th, 2011 at 7:16 PM
Spinny,
Yep. His a theory guy; his head is in the clouds all the time. He’s crazy.
September 29th, 2011 at 4:39 PM
No wonder I’m losing my hair; these politicians and their bizarre agendas keep me scratching my head non-stop!