One year after Youngstown natural gas explosion, regulation remains stagnant

It's been almost nine months since the 21 News 101 West investigation, "The Danger Beneath Us," aired following the deadly natural gas explosion at the Realty Building in downtown Youngstown.

That report exposed how outdated and under-regulated America's natural gas system is. One year later, the gaps uncovered in 101 West are still putting lives at risk.

America's natural gas pipeline network stretches more than two million miles, but safety standards haven't kept pace.

The leading cause of pipeline explosions is third-party damage, from digging or drilling that hits underground lines. Yet in many states, including Ohio, excavators still don't need a license.

While the law says "Call Before You Dig," Ohio still has loopholes.

"An exemption is a license to kill," Former NTSB Chair Jim Hall said last year, "The state government and local governments need to do more."

Ohio law exempts certain government work under 12 inches from using the 811 call system, something safety advocates have called dangerous.

But this year, that could start to change.

House Bill 227 would eliminate some of those exemptions.

Still, it's only a first step.

PHMSA, the federal pipeline safety agency, said they've awarded new grants to support damage prevention and continues to push for stronger enforcement, safety management systems and natural gas detectors in homes.

However, many of those initiatives remain recommendations, not requirements.

Roger Lipscomb with Ohio 811 told 21 News last year that the state lacks consistent construction standards for gas lines.

One year later, that's still true.

Reps with Ohio 811 and the Ohio Utilities Protection Service said there's ongoing discussion, but no legislation has been introduced to require uniform materials, design or construction rules.

The OUPS said the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition is working on proposals for better record-keeping and abandonment procedures. 

Federal officials told 21 News last week, closing 811 exemptions and improving pipeline safety remain priorities.