That is why we need new pipelines, as older ones can have problems. Also, I live down south and haven't heard about anyone dropping like files in the gulf. My son just spent spring break down at Orange Beach and Dolphin Island in Alabama and beaches are white as snow. No sign of oil or oil spill. If you haven't got a news source, can't just spout rumers. I work in the pipeline industry, and new pipelines would make far more sense. Larger diameter new pipe with proper coating can operate at less pressure for the same volume. These older pipelines were probably built during WWII when there were no pipe standards for type and quality of pipe. Some older steel lines have a lot of carbon in them and it tends to seperate from the iron and flake off. Steel pipe is now rated for pressure and has a "specified minimum yeild strength" SMYS. Some is 25,000 psi, some 35,000 psi, some 42,000, some 52,000 and some 70,000, and some even greater. My company has standardized on 52,000. Then the wall thickness also has a pressure limiting factor. We use formulas to calculate the maximum, called "hoop stress". Back in the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's they began with no standards and then started during the 40's to come up with them. Most were finalised during the 1960's and applied on the Alaska Pipeline. Now all new pipeline construction nationwide are using strict standards. However, offshore has outside the legal limit of the US there are no real standards. So the new Keystone pipeline will be larger diameter, lower pressure, and new pipe, thus a 50-100 year life without problems. I have a pipeline that used the best standards available in 1955 and it has never had a leak carrying 125 psi of natural gas. It has 1/2" of coating protection on it. It is checked for leaks once a year as per DOT, Office of Pipeline Safety, Part 192 of the codes if you want to look it up. Pipelines aren't bad. We have enough pipelines in the US to reach the moon and back about 4 times. They are everywhere. It is just some are overstressed and need replacement. New pipelines are generally overbuilt to handle any future increases in pressure or capacity. We have miles of pipelines recently installed that were tested for 720 psi, but only operate at 175 psig or 425 psi, and in my opinion the 425 is overkill and could be lowered.