History
More than 12 similar Con Edison steam pipe explosions have occurred in New York City since 1987. One of the most significant events occurred near Gramercy Park in 1989, killing two Con Edison workers and one bystander, and causing damage of several million U.S. dollars. The utility eventually pleaded guilty to lying about asbestos contamination from that accident, and paid a $2 million fine. A steam pipe explosion at Washington Square in 2000 near the New York University Bobst Library left a 15 foot (4.5 m) crater in the pavement on Washington Square South, scattering debris and leaving traces of asbestos in the air.
The New York Steam Company began providing service in lower Manhattan in 1882. Today, Con Edison operates the New York City steam system, the largest commercial steam system in the world, with more than 100 miles (160 km) of steam pipe. It provides steam service to nearly 2,000 customers serving more than 100,000 commercial and residential establishments in Manhattan south of 96th Street. The utility reported that in 2007, the average age of the steam pipes was 54 years, but some were near 100 years old.
Read more about this topic: 2007 New York City Steam Explosion
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