Will Congress Take on Another Ruptured Pipeline?

Two months in and still the issue dominating the Obama administration, the Congress, and the media is the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Every day brings new developments, including the potential impact hurricane season could have on the spill and BP creating an immediate $20 billion fund to handle damages. Everyone knows this is only the beginning.

Thousands out of work, a rising economic crisis, blackened beaches, and anguishing photos of oil-soaked pelicans drive the constant congressional attention that feeds round-the-clock media attention and vice versa. Suddenly, a previously apathetic American public is focused 24-7 on the environmental and energy disaster in one part of our nation. A vast volume of a vital resource hemorrhaging from a broken pipe is forcing attention and action in a matter unimaginable only a few months ago.

Now imagine the outcry of another major pipeline-related disaster. Different from the Gulf debacle, this one is spewing a vital resource at countless breaks across the country. This other pipeline disaster should be the worst fear of every American-that the pipeline crisscrossing our nation will burst in numerous locations and cause multiple spills. And unlike the BP site-which so far is limited to the southern coastal areas-this second pipeline disaster unleashes its devastation on almost every American community.