MADISON -
They are the hills that Charles Kinder has called home for
more than 20 years.
Drawdy Mountain in rural Boone County has been the place he
has come to escape the world for all of it.
"It has some of the best views anywhere," said
Kinder. "On a clear day, you can se clear into Kentucky."
But there has been something on the mountain that has Kinder
worried: A natural gas pipeline that runs along the rocky roadway, leaking
natural gas.
"It's been like this," said Kinder. "I've
called. They patch it. It leaks. I call they, patch it again."
The gas line is an eight inch line that brings natural gas
up from the well and transfers it to larger transmission lines. It is managed
by EQT.
13News went to the natural gas pipeline and saw the leak. Afterwards, the EQT emergency service number was
contacted.
A specialist was sent out and described the leak as
"pinhole" sized. The company is working on fixing it, according to Natalie
Cox, a spokeswoman for the natural gas company.
This pipeline is only eight inches in diameter, less than half the size
of the pipeline in Sissonville that turned a neighborhood into an inferno. It carries
gas at 25 to 27 pounds per square inch (psi), whereas the Columbia gas pipeline
was capable of carrying gas at 1,000 psi.
Still, the comparisons are unavoidable for Kinder.
"I hope this line doesn't hurt someone. Someone could light a match up here and be blown
up," said Kinder.
Safety is a key priority for EQT, said Cox. She urges anyone
who smells natural gas to contact their local gas companies to come
investigate.
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