Mississippi News
Carbon leak in Satartia – Mississippi Today
Carbon leak in Satartia prompts federal focus on pipeline safety
On Feb. 22, 2020, a breach in a carbon pipeline owned by Denbury Inc. left 49 people near Satartia, Miss. hospitalized, and about 300 residents were forced to evacuate.
A Huffington Post story last year shed light on the chaos and its aftermath. The pipeline burst unleashed a cloud of green fog, along with an odor like “rotten eggs.” People nearby struggled to breath, with some collapsing in their homes, the article reported.
In May, over two years since the incident, the federal agency in charge of pipeline safety — the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA — released its findings from an investigation.
Confirming Denbury's account of the event, PHMSA found that the pipeline broke from heavy pressure caused by movement in the soil after persisting heavy rain.
But PHMSA also found that Denbury had, among other errors, failed to prepare for such natural hazards, failed to alert local emergency officials about the incident, and failed to educate nearby residents about the pipeline before the breach.
In its report, the agency proposed a civil penalty of $3.9 million against Denbury, which the company can either accept or contest.
As a result of the pipeline failure, PHMSA also announced it would begin a new rulemaking to update safety standards.
“I recently visited with the first responders in Satartia to hear firsthand of the pipeline failure so that we can improve safety and environmental protections for CO2 pipelines and work to protect communities from experiences like this,” PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown said in the May 26 release. “The safety of the American people is paramount and we're taking action to strengthen CO2 pipeline safety standards to better protect communities, our first responders, and our environment.”
Specifically, PHMSA said it will update standards for emergency preparedness and response, as well as alerting pipeline operators to better anticipate hazards from natural causes like what happened in Satartia.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Starkville firefighters get creative with new training space
SUMMARY: Firefighters at Fire Station 2 in Starkville, Mississippi, have created a DIY training room in an underused storage space to improve their search and rescue skills. The space is set up with realistic obstacles and scenarios to help them prepare for different situations. The goal is to eventually build a larger-scale facility for more comprehensive training. The firefighters believe that continuous training is essential to ensure citizen safety and respond effectively in emergencies. By practicing in a realistic environment, they can improve their response time and better serve the community.
The post Starkville firefighters get creative with new training space appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Changes how law enforcement handles mental illness
SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers passed House Bill 1640, limiting the time people can be held in jail awaiting mental health care. The law states that individuals awaiting civil commitment can only be held for 48 hours unless facing criminal charges. The aim is to provide timely mental health treatment rather than keeping individuals in jail. The law will go into effect on July 1. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott believes these changes are needed to address mental health issues in county jails. While it's a step in the right direction, more treatment facilities are needed to expedite the process and prevent unnecessary stays in jail.
The post Changes how law enforcement handles mental illness appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
SHS seniors take final stroll through elementary school halls
SUMMARY: The senior class at Starkville High School participated in an annual “Senior Walk” where they visited all schools in the district to see former teachers and receive well wishes from current students. They were cheered on by students as they walked through the halls, taking pictures along the way. This stop was at Henderson Ward Stewart, where students in grades two to four showed their support. The school's graduation is scheduled for May 24th. Follow for more news and updates on Facebook.
The post SHS seniors take final stroll through elementary school halls appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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