by Allie Strosnider ’12

Washington Gas is currently in the process of cutting down trees in the front yards of people on Vandever Street in Brookeville. They are not only cutting down trees in the area directly over the gas pipes but trees far into the yard, in one case right in front of the fence separating backyard from front. This is because Washington Gas has decided to cut costs by switching over to an aerial inspection method of their lines. In precious years inspections were done by “walking the line” that is, hiring people to literally walk along the gas line and check for problems. These people will now be out of work, and in an economy where 9.1 percent of the labor force is currently unemployed this is a big issue. Not only does this decision lead to fewer jobs in an already poor market, it also harms the environment. Green movements are working to preserve trees and most companies that make use of trees will plant a tree for every one they cut down but these trees are not even being used and they are certainly not being replaced.