Reopen the Pipeline

The damaged pipeline at Refugio is but a small segment of the 1,500-mile line to Corpus Christie, Texas. It has been repaired and should be turned on for continued service. The line, which is designed to carry 3,000 gallons of oil per day, has been operating for years without failure. This one incident is unfortunate but not a reason for permanent shutdown.

The main reason so much oil escaped was due to delays by the government of 18 hours to come to the scene to advise the line owners. In the meantime, the line leaked. The feds were the problem. The federal investigation can go on for months. While that’s ongoing, the repaired line should be returned to operation. If not, then trucks should be allowed to move the oil, or the offshore wells will be shut down, and the state and county will lose millions of dollars in revenues for schools and roads.