Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

Improved shut-off valve technology and more complete inspections are two of the most important steps to take to try and avoid another natural gas pipeline explosion and inferno like the one that erupted in Sissonville last month.

Senator Jay Rockefeller chaired a commerce committee meeting in Charleston where he heard from regulators, the pipeline's owner and a watchdog group about what needs to be done to avoid future disasters.

"Natural gas transmission compared to a lot of other things is relatively safe," Rockefeller said. "But that's like saying that flying is safe until your plane goes down. And the point is this is all about the plane that went down. The pipeline that did not make it."

Sue Bonham's house was one of three destroyed in the explosion. She testified that she thought the world was ending when the blast happened. Bonham was trapped in her backyard until rescued by firefighters.

"I do believe going forward that we can all feel more hopeful especially those living next to the gas lines that we won't be in fear," Bonham said.

Regulators say automatic and remote shut-off valves, better training for control room operators, upgraded technology to warn more quickly of failures and more rigorous inspections are needed to keep pipelines safe.

"We're deploying the best technology we have available for the infrastructure we have in the ground while we plan large-scale infrastructure upgrade programs," Chad Zamarin, Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Gas Midstream said.

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A West Virginia woman feared the world was ending as she watched a gas explosion destroy her Sissonville neighborhood.

Sue Bonham was the first witness at a Monday field hearing held by Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller.

The West Virginia Democrat organized it after the Dec. 11 blast torched homes and damaged Interstate 77.

Bonham said a phone call kept her indoors and alive just as the pipeline exploded. She described a deafening roar followed by a wall of fire and suffocating heat.

Other witnesses represented regulators, pipeline operator Columbia Gas Transmission and a watchdog group. They included National Transportation Safety Board chair Deborah Hersman.

Rockefeller and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin heard that better technology could alert operators more quickly of mishaps. Inspecting the condition of pipeline is also critical.


Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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A West Virginia woman feared the world was ending as she watched a Sissonville gas explosion destroy her neighborhood.

Sue Bonham was the first witness at a Monday field hearing held by Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller.

The West Virginia Democrat organized it after the Dec. 11 blast torched homes and damaged Interstate 77.

Bonham said a phone call kept her indoors just as the pipeline exploded. She's certain she otherwise would have died. Bonham described a deafening roar followed by walls of fire and suffocating heat.

Monday's hearing also features National Transportation Safety Board chair Deborah Hersman.

Before the hearing, Rockefeller criticized the U.S. Office of Management of Budget for slowing down potential safety rules meant to respond to the Sissonville explosion and similar accidents.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller said Wednesday that witnesses appearing before his upcoming commerce committee field hearing in Charleston will provide important information on the state of pipeline safety in the United States.

In a news release, Rockefeller listed the witnesses that will appear at the hearing at noon Monday at the Charleston federal courthouse.

Rockefeller said Sue Bonham, a resident of Sissonville, whose home was damaged during a natural gas transmission pipeline explosion in December, will open testimony. She will be followed by five witnesses that include:

* Deborah Hersman, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

* Cynthia Quarterman, administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

* Susan Fleming, director of physical infrastructure issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.

* Jimmy Staton, executive vice president and group chief executive officer of NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage.

* Rick Kessler, president of the board, The Pipeline Safety Trust

“I’m looking forward to hearing from all of our witnesses next week,” Rockefeller said. “Our policy decisions and industry practices should always be driven by the real life implications of our work. One witness, Sue Bonham of Sissonville, will share her personal experiences that underscore the importance for all of us to continue our efforts to work toward improved safety across the board.”

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Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.