Natural Gas Explosion Kills 10 Campers

A natural gas pipeline in New Mexico exploded, killing 10 people and leaving 86’ x 46’ x 20’ crater.

Natural gas pipelines are dangerous.  There are a litany of incidents demonstrating this danger, most recently in New Mexico. 

The details are horrific.  The pipeline turned into a flamethrower, essentially melting two families of campers and raining flames hundreds of feet away.

While the likelihood of a particular pipeline on a particular property exploding are low, the consequences are extreme.  In the information age where people have ready access to stories like this through a simple Google search, the existence of pipelines will have an impact on market value for residential properties.

We are seeing an unprecedented number of pipeline projects.  I am currently or have recently represented owners confronted by pipeline takings by Wolverine, Nexus, Rover, and DTE.  Whether this is a coincidence of timing or the start of a trend of new pipeline projects remains to be seen.

If you have been confronted by a pipeline company requesting property rights, do not hesitate to contact me.