Friday Gas Leak Heightens Worries Over Regulator Station

A residential gas line near Atlanta Gas Light's proposed regulator station was struck during a routine bit of construction on Friday, which has heightened residents' concerns over the station itself.

“It was a small 4" plastic residential line hit during a routine dig," said AGL spokeman Matt Sawhill. "These incidents are not uncommon when installing underground infrastructure. Due to the heightened sensitivity of the regulator station location, the foreman and superintendent [were asked] to exercise extreme caution throughout the remainder of this process."

In a story first reported here on Patch, AGL is replacing portions of its so-called Eastside Pipeline. It is also building a gas regulator pipeline station directly in DeKalb-Peachtree Airport's flight path, which has some residents worried about potential public safety issues.

AGL is constructing the gas regulator station near the intersection of Clairmont Road and Tanglewood Circle.

While AGL spokespersons say the station and pipeline are safe, some local residents say the company has not been forthcoming about addressing the concerns of local residents.

"AGL seems to continually be talking out of both sides of its mouth," said local resident Pat Thomas. "On one hand, we're told the segment of Eastern Pipeline and a regulator station with an incoming capacity of 720 psi in our midst is safe because of the care AGL will take.

"On the other hand, Sawhill says, 'These incidents are not uncommon when installing underground infrastructure.' This pipeline segment and regulator station will be subjected to underground infrastructure installations for as long as they exist. That means area residents will be in danger for as long as they exist, especially with a 720 psi incoming pipeline, which is much over the capacity of the pipe that is there now."

"This [incident] is a reminder of why we do not want the gas regulator station in our backyard," said another local resident, Blanche Collins.

Opponents of the station also cite recent attacks on similar gas regulator stations in other parts of the nation. Last summer, a man attempted to blow up a Plano, Texas, gas regulator station, which led some residents to question the safety of such facilities. A pipeline safety expert later said that the explosion could have resulted in a deadly neighborhood catastrophe.

See Also:

Open House Set to Discuss Controversial Gas Pipeline

Residents: AGL Unaware its Pipeline Station was in PDK's Flight Path

Gas Pipeline Station Being Placed in PDK's Flight Path