On the outskirts of Houston, millions of gallons of potentially explosive natural gas liquids – like propane and butane – are being stored in dozens of underground caverns.
Last month, at a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, Donald Santa, head of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, informed the senators that it was only in recent weeks that the industry approved standards for storing natural gas.
While Santa said the federal government still has not adopted such standards. The State of Texas has revamped its rules for natural gas and NGL storage, and now requires emergency shutoff valves and inspections for leaks every five years.