"LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- An independent report blames manufacturing defects for the failure of an ExxonMobil pipeline that sent 150,000 gallons of crude oil into the small town of Mayflower, the company said Wednesday."
"The report, provided to Exxon and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, found cracks near a seam that failed on the ruptured Pegasus Pipeline, the company said. Both Exxon and the regulatory agency declined to release the report, which was produced by Hurst Metallurgical Research Laboratory Inc.
The company said the defects identified in the report reflect the 'root cause of the failure.' Exxon said it is still conducting tests to evaluate other possible factors in the March 29 spill, which forced more than 20 families from their homes. The cleanup is continuing and the pipeline remains shut down."
Chuck Bartels reports for the Associated Press July 10, 2013.
