Chemical Incident Reporting – Week of 8-12-23

NOTE: See here for series background.

Plum, PA – 8-12-23

Local News Reports: Here, here and here.

House explosion, unknown cause. 6 dead.

Technically a CSB reportable, because a house does meet the definition of a ‘stationary source’ under 40 CFR 1604.2. I would be surprised if CSB took umbrage that a home owner did not make a report under §1604, but CSB could initiate an investigation, particularly if a series of house explosions occurred that demonstrated a pattern of a deficiency in design or operation.

Nunnelly, TN – 8-18-23

Local News Reports: Here, here, and here.

Explosion and fire at gas pipeline compressor station. No injuries

Possible CSB reportable depending on level of damage. This one poses an interesting jurisdictional issue. Generally, the NTSB is responsible for investigating pipeline explosions, as they fall under ‘transportation’. Compressor stations, however, fall under the definition of ‘stationary source’, particularly if there are storage tanks on site. Whether this incident would fall under CSB, or NTSB, or both is one of those legal issues, the decision of which, where lawyers get rich.