A pair of serious accidents in recent months have raised new questions about the safety of a key part of our nation's infrastructure -- underground energy pipelines. A gas transmission line ruptured in California last week and killed seven. Oil pipelines have sprung leaks in Michigan and Illinois this year -- and both belong to a company with about 1,400 miles of pipeline in Minnesota. The U.S. House Transportation Committee will have a hearing on pipeline safety in Washington D.C. today.
MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with the chairman of the committee, Minnesota Democratic Congressman Jim Oberstar.