Y2K-Status - Bellingham Washington. Gasoline pipeline spill explosion kills three. Computer problems contributed.

Bellingham, Washinton State. Pipeline Explosion Kills Three

A spill from a gasoline pipeline in Bellingham Washington caused an explosion that killed three.

A Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board - Pipeline Safety Advisory Bulletin says that computer problems contributed to the incident and posted the Advisory on their Y2K Site - I believe this is because they see the potential for this kind of accident if computers simply perform less than optimum, rather than breaking down altogether. There are a number of lessons to be learned from this for y2k preparations, which should include testing and training related to computers controlling much of the world's critical infrastructure. - Richard Collins
CSB - Governors Urged to Prepare for Possible Y2K-related Hazardous Materials Problems
Year 2000 Issues- Technology Problems and Industrial Safety
- Complete Report to Senate March 15, 1999 (PDF - 2.14 MB)
- Complete Report as HTML

National Public Radio report on gasoline pipeline explosion that killed three in Bellingham, Washington (Audio, 5 minutes 21 seconds) - computer failure, backup failure, leak detection system failure, and valve failure combined.

Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board - Pipeline Safety Advisory Bulletin

The Bellingham Herald Online - Explosion Archives

The Seattle Times Home Page

Park to reopen 44 days after pipeline explosion - July 25
Olympic was showing line to investors on day it ruptured - July 22
Pipeline operators sought to boost flow
Olympic manager touted leak detection weeks before blast
Pipeline had few repairs on many anomalies
Pipeline policies excoriated - U.S. Sen. Patty Murray today harshly criticized the federal Department of Transportation
Training by Olympic Pipe Line under investigation
Grand jury seeks pipeline records
Why pipeline employees won't talk- spills come with stiff penalties
City did construction near pipeline in '94, '95
Pipeline may restart in 3 to 6 months
Readers write about pipeline management, other topics - "pressure limiting switches?"
Numerous markings suggest pipe damage from construction work
Pipeline regulation agency criticized for being too lax - For more than a decade ...
Pipeline firm says it hasn't fully assessed accident
Pipeline investigator vents frustration; 3 more workers refuse to talk
As in Bellingham, restarting pipelines caused 2 spills in '96 - June 26
Taking Fifth not unusual in workplace accident cases
Blast probe focuses on valve as pipeline operators refuse to talk
Two pipeline workers take the Fifth in federal inquiry
Olympic, local leaders announce plan to restore creek for salmon habitat
Pipeline explosion adds to price you pay at the pump
Bellingham residents tell officials of pipeline fears - June 20
Pipeline-blast investigators examine past excavation work
Foresight may save North Bend from Bellingham's fate
Lighter ignited fire; bigger disaster averted
Many haven't a clue that pipeline is nearby
Just how dangerous are fuel pipelines?
Young lives cut short by fireball mourned - June 16
Olympic Pipe Line sues North Bend
Scene of Bellingham pipeline explosion is still too dangerous to probe - June 14
Cascade pipeline bid slowed in wake of Bellingham gasoline fire
A 'river of gasoline,' then panic in Bellingham
Residents ask- Why in a residential area? - June 13
Olympic inspection raised questions Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS)
Company's command center runs 400-mile-long pipeline - "This is the heartbeat of the pipeline,"
Bellingham fireball turned dreams of reviving salmon habitat to ashes
Fly fisherman among victims
10-year-old victims- `a blond character,' `a happy little kid'
3 die, including 2 boys, when fireball erupts in Bellingham gas-line explosion - June 11
Accident could fuel opposition to proposed Cascade pipeline

Seattle News from SeattleInsider.com (includes video)

NW Citizen: WhatcomCreek Explosion, photo tour of the explosion area. On June 10, 1999, Whatcom Creek, saturated with spilled gasoline from a pipeline rupture in Whatcom Falls Park, exploded.

Bellingham Links:

Bellingham Disaster (Advocacy group)