STAFF REPORT

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Enbridge Inc., the company that owns the Texas Eastern Pipeline that was the center of a huge explosion in Moreland last week that killed one person and injured others, says it has completed its preliminary testing at the incident site.

In a press release from Michael Barnes, a media relations and crisis communications expert with the company, he said air, soil and water sampling have been conducted off of Indian Camp Road in Lincoln County.

“The results indicate there is no risk to human health,” the release reads. When asked more specifically about the type of testing is being done in the area, and how it was determined there is no health risk, Barnes said “there are no other details to share at this moment.”

Enbridge says it will “continue to conduct sampling as part of our standard procedure to ensure the ongoing safety of the affected area.”

The company is working on a return-to-service plan for two adjacent, 30-inch natural gas pipelines near the incident site. They were taken out of service as a precautionary safety measure.

“These pipelines provide natural gas that is used to heat homes, hospitals, businesses and schools. They are also used as a fuel for electric power generation,” the release states. The pipelines will not be returned to service until “we satisfy regulatory requirements and it is safe to do so.”

The company says there is no timeline of when that will occur.

Ebridge says it’s “on-site care team” continues to provide support to individuals and families impacted by the incident. The team has been working with the Red Cross and numerous other support organizations, the company says, to provide assistance with housing arrangements for those affected, on an individual basis.

The National Transportation Safety Board took control of the incident site, in order to run the investigation, which has not been released. Those with homes still standing in the area were reportedly allowed back in.