As we have learned in this Module, federal laws relating to the environment set the minimum protections that companies must abide by. Meaning, companies are free to protect the environment more than federal law requires, but not less. In many cases federal laws do not require what many in the public would deem acceptable conduct. To illustrate this point, in 2016 a group of hunters in Franklinville, NY, stumbled across what appeared to be a set of significant gas leaks in a natural gas pipeline maintained by National Fuel Gas Company. When they contacted the emergency number to report the leak, the hunters were told the company had been aware of the leak for over a year and it would not be repaired for several more months. The hunters then posted video of the leak on social media where it has been viewed over 2 million times. When asked for comment, National Fuel Gas Company indicated that the gas leak in the video was classified by as a Type 3 leak, meaning it was "small and non-hazardous" and was not located near houses or buildings. Those leaks are monitored annually until repaired. Type 1 and 2 leaks are "potentially hazardous" and are repaired immediately per state and federal regulations.

The federal government regulates oil and natural gas pipeline safety under a variety of laws and regulations, the first of which was the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968. In the 1968 Act Congress authorized the Department of Transportation to develop minimum safety standards for the transportation of natural gas. There have been a number of statutory and regulatory measures over the years designed to increase the safety of natural gas pipelines, as well as expand the scope of those pipelines subject to federal safety requirements. Despite all of these regulations, National Fuel and Gas Company was not charged with violating any rules or regulations related to these leaks.

answers the following question.

1. Do you feel companies like National Fuel Gas Company are regulated enough to ensure their conduct is not overly harming the environment? Why or why not?
2. What ethical and social responsibilities, beyond minimum standards established by law, does National Fuel Gas Company owe to the public? Did they violate them here? Why or why not?