A tip led KXAN to a storage yard holding hundreds of pipeline segments in Blanco. The segments will become the Permian Highway Pipeline. The group fighting the pipeline is concerned the anti-corrosion coating on the pipes has been outside, uncovered for far too long. Our investigation found there are no regulations to determine how long is too long before UV radiation begins to degrade the pipe coating.
Part 1: Baked in the Texas Sun
The pipe segments are coated with a fusion bonded epoxy corrosion protection product, which its manufacturer says will degrade under prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Part 2: State Complaint Filed
An anti-pipeline group gathered evidence for nine months to file a complaint with the Texas Railroad Commission, worried about the pipes’ storage safety.
Part 3: Police Moonlighting
We discovered members of several area law enforcement agencies working as private pipeline security, yet keeping no public records to document their possible conflict.
Watch the Complete Investigation Below
KXAN investigates pipeline segments exposed for more than a year.
KXAN investigates a state agency’s efforts to gauge pipes’ safety.
KXAN investigates the use of area police to patrol the pipeline.
Ongoing Investigations:
Pipeline News Updates:
- •Commission to company: ‘follow rules’
- •Commissioners rescind road permits
- •Blanco pipeline drilling site stalls
- •Muddy water tied to pipeline work
- •Order clears way for pipeline work
- •Kinder Morgan gets pipeline permits
- •Kyle joins fight against pipeline
- •Company gains right-of-way in Hays Co.
- •Suit: Pipeline harms endangered species
- •Conservation district joins pipeline suit
- •Gillespie Co. landowner fights pipeline
- •Unlikely alliance fighting pipeline
- •Cities plan to sue feds over pipeline
- •Kyle council approves pipeline settlement
- •Kyle discusses Kinder Morgan settlement
- •City: Pipeline could impact Barton Springs
- •Kinder Morgan to pay Blanco landowners
- •Builder fires back on safety ordinance
- •Hays Co. files second lawsuit over pipeline
- •Judge dismisses Hill Country pipeline suit
- •Pipeline opponents call for more oversight
- •Pipeline courtroom arguments begin
- •Pipeline suit claims eminent domain issue
- •Environment concerns surround pipeline
- •Hill Country pipeline raises concerns
- •Pipeline town hall stirs emotion
- •Pipeline opponents sue Kinder Morgan
- •Landowners fight $2B pipeline project
- •Pipeline blamed for runoff erosion
- •Complaints filed over pipeline runoff
- •State investigates erosion complaints
- •Suit: Safe Drinking Water Act violated
- •Landowner finds pipeline drilling leak
- •Noise violation notice issued over pipeline
- •Pipeline rerouted around Blanco River
- •Unknown package forces evacs near pipeline
