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News Tip: Expert Available to Comment on Proposed Legislation to Plug Natural Gas Leak

Legislation in the Senate would speed up the replacement of old, leaking natural gas pipelines

Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) on Thursday introduced legislation that would speed up the replacement of old, leaking natural gas pipelines that are potentially costing consumers billions, causing dangerous explosions and releasing pollution that worsens global warming.Robert B. JacksonNicholas Professor of Global Environmental Change, Duke Universityjackson@duke.eduhttp://fds.duke.edu/db/Nicholas/eos/faculty/jacksonJackson has conducted large-scale studies to map thousands of methane leaks in pipes under Boston and Washington, D.C.  His study identifying more than 3,300 methane leaks under Boston was conducted with researchers from Boston University and published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Pollution in November 2012. Quote:"Repairing pipeline leaks will improve consumer safety, slow climate change and save lives and money. Legislation to help companies fix leaky pipes would benefit everyone.“Natural gas pipeline failures cause an average of 17 fatalities, 68 injuries and $133 million in property damage each year in the U.S. Leaks in the United States also contribute to $3 billion of lost and unaccounted for natural gas each year."We just have to put the right financial incentives into place to help companies fix leaky pipes."                                    _        _        _        _Duke experts on a variety of other topics can be found at http://newsoffice.duke.edu/resources-media/faculty-experts.