WASHINGTON (14 Nov.) -- U.S.
Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on
Homeland Security, on Wednesday questioned the head of Transportation
Security Administration, Kip Hawley, about the security conditions and
inspection of pipelines in the Tampa Bay area.
During questioning on the subject of the hearing, which was about reported TSA negligence
in undermining airport security review, Bilirakis notified Hawley that
he wants a prompt response from his Agency, which assists the U.S.
Department of Transportation in the security of the nation's pipelines.
"I want to let you know that I am going to be contacting TSA
about the security of these pipelines, especially in the Tampa Bay
area, and the role that TSA is playing in their inspection and
security," said Bilirakis, who will be sending an official letter to
the Agency shortly. "I hope that you will direct the appropriate
officials under your direction to take this matter very seriously and
respond to my inquiry expeditiously."
Congressman Bilirakis's
questioning follows an act of vandalism on Nov. 13 to a 30-mile-long
anhydrous ammonia pipeline in Riverview, Fla. Three teenage boys had
drilled a hole into the pipeline in an alleged search for money. The
leak resulted in the release of a noxious chemical cloud and the
evacuation of thousands of local residents.
Following the
hearing, Bilirakis noted, "This ammonium pipeline leak should be a
wake-up call about the vulnerabilities of our nation's pipeline
infrastructure." He added, "Many of these pipelines, while crucial to
industry, could be sitting ducks for a terrorist attack resulting in a
catastrophe. Just look at how a simple act of vandalism by teenage boys
affected so many people. Imagine how much damage and disruption a
sophisticated and coordinated terrorist attack could cause."
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