Mrs. N. A. Samples — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1PI-73-0107 April 16, 1973 Mrs. N. A. Samples 3967 Doral circle Doraville, Georgia 30340 Dear Mrs. Samples: This is in response to your letter of March 8, 1973, expressing concern over the explosion and fire at the Triangle Oil Company tank storage facilities in Doraville, Georgia, on December 24, 1972. The information we have received indicates that the failure that caused the fuel spill which in turn caused the explosion occurred within the property of the Triangle oil Company. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Office of Pipeline Safety derive their authority to regulate pipeline carriers from 19 U.S.C. 831 et seq. which provides that the Interstate Commerce Commission (whose authority has now passed to the DOT in this area) may regulate carriers engaged in interstate or foreign( commerce who transport hazardous materials. Since the information that we have received indicates that Triangle is not an interstate carrier, our authority would not extend to this situation. We understand, however, that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor, which has authority concerning the working conditions in certain intrastate facilities, have investigated this accident. We hope this information will be helpful. Sincerely, SIGNED Joseph C. Caldwell Director Office of Pipeline Safety#

Page 2March 8, 1973 Department of Transportation Office of Safety and Consumer Affairs 400 7th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20590 Gentlemen: The attached article will cover what has happened to our Street and Community this past year. This same situation could happen anywhere; the most recent being in Sweeny, Texas with 4 more deaths. As residents of a dangerous area, we strongly urge that public hearings be held here in Doraville, with Government representatives (having authority) to fully cover what happened, and what can be done to protect our hares and families, as well as people that are just passing by. If Federal Safety regulations lets Oil Company like Triangle receive gas all night and no one watches; yet is only noted as a Human error, then these regulations rust have been written by ten year olds. This blame is on two companies - Triangle Oil and Colonial Pipe Lines - yet they go right along - only we as average property owners suffer by not being able to obtain loans or sell our homes to rove from Danger. We have written our Governor, our representatives, contacted all local officials - anyone that will listen. We need action, not just promises. This is all we have received. It has been almost a year since the first fire, three months since the second one. When will be the next one? They said we were safe after the first one. Please give us the courtesy of a reply, telling us - (1) What is being done to strengthen regulations with regards to operations and location of Dangerous Petroleum Tank Farms? (2) When will these regulations go into effect? (3) What Action will be taken against Triangle Oil and Colonial Pipe Lines? (4) What Action will be taken to condemn or buy Doral Circle as a Buffer Zone? If your Department can not answer these four questions, let us hear from someone who can. Yours truly, Mrs. N. A. Samples, as Representative for 3967 Doral Circle Doral Circle Residents Doralville, Georgia 30340#