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Iran's Offer to Release American Hiker; San Bruno Gas Fire Investigation; Hurricane Igor Grows Stronger; What Lies Beneath

Aired September 12, 2010 - 19:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, I'm Don Lemon. It's the top of the hour. Thanks for joining us.

I want to tell you about this, there are some new questions tonight about the gas main that exploded this week in San Bruno, California.

CNN has obtained documents showing as far back as 2007 the utility PG&E considered a portion of the main that ruptured to have a quote, "Unacceptably high risk of failure".

The first residents were escorted back to their neighborhood today to see the damage, 37 homes were destroyed in Thursday's explosion and fire. Four people were killed. Six are still missing.

CNN's Ted Rowlands joins us now from San Bruno with the latest on that. Imagine seeing that up close and personal, what once were your possessions.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Don. We went there with a couple that went back to their home. Their house is actually just two houses away from area of destroyed homes. And they said, they know -- they've seen these images on television in today's leading up to actually going back.

But they were pretty much speechless as they got out on their balcony and they -- and they looked over the -- the sheer devastation of what used to be their neighborhood -- a pretty emotional day up there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER MCCAFFREY, SAN BRUNO RESIDENT: Just -- just looking at all this. I mean, I -- I saw this from the news. But being here and the first time coming up here and looking at all this, it was just -- there's no words. I can't really explain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: And residents who are -- who lost their homes, Don, we should tell you, they're not going to be allowed back for some time. Investigators are still literally sifting through the ash. They're looking for -- the human remains of those still missing.

So it's going to be a while before those people get back to see what is left, if anything, of their homes. But throughout the day -- those other folks are being allowed back in.

LEMON: And Ted we have been saying six people still missing. And the police department reported yesterday they found some human remains. They believe it was two -- two human or two remains. They weren't sure if it was human or what. Do we have any -- any new information on that?

ROWLANDS: Well, I talked to the coroner a few hours ago. And he said that they should have more information in the next day or two. They're testing the fragments that they found. And keep in mind, when you look at the intensity of this fireball, what they are finding are small pieces of what they believe are human remains. They're testing those and if they are human then, they'll try to ID them through DNA but -- it's -- it's a long process. We should get more information in the next few days.

LEMON: You know -- you know it's not unusual to hear sadly about explosions and about gas explosions. But really one this big and there are a lot of people who are displaced. And you said, they're not allowing them back in their homes, Ted.

So what are they -- what are they doing for those people? Are they putting them up in hotels or what are being done as far as compensation, their salaries, money, all of that, what's happening?

ROWLANDS: Well, they are being taken care of quite well. They -- PG&E right away came out and gave them assistance for their own living outside. Because it's not as if -- they're not being allowed back in their homes, there are no homes to come back and they are not allowed to come back and look at what used to be their homes.

So everybody is onboard knowing that these families, these 37 homeowners need assistance in the short term and in the long term. So in the short term they are getting money to provide themselves with shelter and necessity. And in the long-term we'll see how it plays out. But short-term, they are being taken care of quite well according to everybody.

LEMON: Oh man, our hearts and prayers go out to all of them. Ted Rowlands, great reporting. Thank you, sir.

You know, this blast has likely made you wonder about safety in your own neighborhood. I know my neighbors are talking about it, the hidden dangers that lie under the ground. Ahead we'll tell you how you can find out about the risks around you.

And just in. A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Loveland, Colorado neighborhood to escape a wildfire that has burned more than 600 acres. And our affiliate KMGH reports it has destroyed a home and several other structures. There has been no containment of this fire. Loveland is about 30 miles outside of Boulder.

And fire officials don't know how many homes are threatened. But they say there are at least 100 in the area. Calm weather has allowed firefighters to contain much of another massive wildfire near Boulder, Colorado. They hope to have it completely under control in the next couple of days.

The week old fire has burned more than 6,400 acres and destroyed nearly 170 homes. More than 1,000 firefighters from several states have been tackling hotspots in a 4-mile canyon area.

After a false start, Iran is again offering to release one of three American hikers. But it comes at a cost. Sarah Shourd's lawyer says she could go free as early as tonight. But Iran wants half a million dollars in bail money first. Iranian officials have flip- flopped on this decision in the past few days.

And our Susan Candiotti following all the developments for us; Susan, what's the very latest?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don.

Well, tonight the families, as they have been for the last 13 months, are leaning on each other for support. Of course, there's bail announcement for hiker Sarah Shourd to the tune of a half million dollars. There is a whole new set of complication.

And on top of that Iran's official news agency reports Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal are indicted on spy charges. The family flatly denies the hikers are spies, adding any border cross was an accident.

Among those sorting through all of this is the Swiss ambassador. And since the U.S. has no diplomatic ties, the Swiss government will likely be the intermediary here.

LEMON: But when I saw the amount of the bail money, I -- it made me wonder Susan, does the family have that kind of bail money? And can cash be handed over like that given trade sanctions between the U.S. and Iran?

CANDIOTTI: Well, that's what's being reviewed, of course, first of all, it's unclear where the money would come from. Tonight the families are keeping quiet about everything so, whether those funds could come from some other sources, also not known. As far as trade sanctions, well that could be worked out with waivers. But again, others are raising questions about how do you pay money to a designated terrorist nation?

LEMON: Is -- is the State Department or the White House saying anything about the latest issues here?

CANDIOTTI: Well, the State Department spokesman is telling CNN and quoting here, "We're in a wait and see mode. We want all three people released and returned." The president consistently has called for the release, of course, of all three hikers as well.

And Don you know, later this month the UN General Assembly meets here in New York. And that increases speculation that maybe Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad might bring the hikers with him.

Of course the families have been urging him for a humanitarian release. So, you know, we'll have to see. LEMON: Susan Candiotti, thank you very much.

More fallout from a Florida pastor's call to burn Korans -- he canceled those plans but that hasn't stopped the protests around the world.

Tea Party activist are holding rallies around the country again today. We will take a look at why they're taking aim at the GOP establishment.

All right. And this is your chance to become part of the show. I know I say it all the time but we really do want you to be part of the show. And check your tweets, or go to Facebook, and check it on Four Square, would you -- you can get us at all of those social networking sites right there. Check in, I like your comments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: They are still energized. And they are still on the move. Tea Party activists gathered at the U.S. capitol buildings today for a second straight November 12th march on Washington. Their bottom line, the federal government is too big, and it spends too much.

Today's theme was remembering November, a reference to the upcoming elections and their vow to defeat lawmakers who ignore their message. You know, the Tea Party Movement is hoping for some big victories in November and there's already speculation about how that could change Congress.

Former Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott was on CNN's "State of the Union" today this morning with Candy Crowley. And he says, "Victorious Tea Party candidates could have a big impact if they work with Republican leaders on a common agenda."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRENT LOTT (R), FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: Well, when they get here, they want to do something about bad legislation, more regulations, too much spending, too much taxation. They want to get something done. They need to be the leaders. They need to be able to work with the people that come into the House and Senate.

It's not a matter of trying to get them to change their position. They're going to bring enthusiasm and new ideas and pressures into Washington. And I think that's good.

But I do think the leadership has got to learn very quickly to work with them and to turn it into positive energy. And I believe they will.

I think that John Boehner, as the next Speaker will do that. And I think Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl will do it in the Senate.

(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: All right and time right now for a CNN Equals Politics update. We're keeping an eye on the latest headlines on the CNN.com Political ticker. And there he said, "Coach put me in and we did because he is part of the best political team on television."

CNN's senior political editor, Mark Preston joins us now. Mark, take it away.

MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, Don, you know, it's Sunday and of course a lot of people are getting ready for the week. Especially, candidates in eight states, primaries taking place on Tuesday, eight states. But three in particular, Don, I'm taking a look at.

The first state is up in New Hampshire. There's a contested Republican primary for that. A Senate race for that open seat up there as well as the House seats up there. Up in New Hampshire, we're keeping a very close eye.

Coming down to Delaware, a very, very divisive race right now in the Republican Party; we have the Tea Party helping out a candidate by the name of Christine O'Donnell. She is running against the establishment candidate, Mike Castle. Things are getting very nasty in Delaware.

And then of course, where I'm sitting here in Washington, D.C., there is a fight for the mayor's race here. Adrian Senti (ph), the current mayor, a very close friend of Barack Obama up against the ropes right now. He has a very difficult re-election. We'll find out a lot on Tuesday night.

Of course, come back here. We'll have coverage all night.

But moving on, Don, on Wednesday right after the primary, the Republican National Committee opens up a 48-state bus tour. Don. If you can imagine, Michael Steele is going to get on the bus and he's going to take it all around the country. He's going to be rallying candidates.

In fact, they are calling it the "Fire Pelosi Bus", Don. They have their own red hats if you can imagine that. So we'll see these on Wednesday the RNC will be moving around the country.

And let's close it with this very story right now. We're talking about taxes, of course, politics and policy coming together. Boehner says he would vote for a Democratic tax proposal. This is the big story, big policy story coming out of the Sunday talk shows. John Boehner saying that he would vote for a Democratic proposal if it is the only proposal on the table before the November elections, Don.

So a lot going on here on Sunday.

LEMON: I thought it was a boxing glove you had at first. And then I take a closer look and it is a baseball cap.

Listen, I want to talk to you more about John Boehner and just to -- he just released a statement in part saying, "If President Obama is serious about job creation, there's a clear way forward. And that's for us to come together and pass legislation immediately that cuts spending to 2008 levels for the next year".

And then it goes on and it goes on and it goes. But his comment this morning as well on television sparked a lot of back and forth this afternoon. What is this all about?

PRESTON: Well, look, the Republican Party needs to sound consolatory; they need to sound like they are trying to work with the administration. There's been a lot of criticism that the Republican Party has offered no solutions and that Democrats have put up solutions. Republicans would argue otherwise.

But the fact of the matter is, if Republicans are going to win in November, Don, they can't be the party of no. They have to be the party of solutions. And in fact the Republican Party, House Republicans will roll out what they call the contract with America or something similar to that within the next couple of weeks.

They say it will be a more detailed analysis of how to move the country forward -- Don.

LEMON: Mark Preston is part of the best political team on television. And Mark, I really like the way you do this segment. Nice job. Thank you, sir.

And for the latest political news go to CNNPolitics.com.

You know, we're keeping a close eye on the tropics as hurricane Igor gains strength. As Jacqui Jeras said, it's small, but it's very strong. It's now a Category 4 storm. Is it in the path or is it on the way to the U.S.? I should say, is the U.S. in its path.

Plus, some unsettling news from Homeland Security, nine years after 9/11 -- you want to hear this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. Well, time for top stories.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the United States will never be completely immune to terror threats. Nine years after 9/11 Napolitano tells CNN the U.S. is safer now than it was then. But she says there's no 100 percent guarantee the country will not be attacked again.

At least two people were killed today in Afghanistan while protesting against a Florida pastor who had planned to burn the Koran. Security forces opened fire to prevent the crowd of 600 people from storming government offices. Protests over the burning had started in Afghanistan before Pastor Terry Jones abandoned his plan. Four other demonstrators were also hurt.

Denmark raised the terror threat level after an incident involving this man. Here he is in a Copenhagen hotel on Tuesday. On Friday he was injured in an explosion at a bathroom at the hotel that police say he triggered. They're investigating whether he was targeting a Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in 2005. The man who was carrying identity papers for three countries has denied attempting to explode a bomb or carrying an illegal weapon.

A massive man hunt is under way right now near the U.S. - Mexico border. Eighty-five inmates scaled a wall of a prison in Reynoso, Mexico on Friday, this is across the Rio Grande River. Many of the escapees are believed to be drug cartel members or hit men. Two guards are also missing. Dozens of other guards are being questioned in the latest prison break in Mexico's history -- the largest prison break, I should say in Mexico's history.

The fourth hurricane of the season has now reached Category Four status, so a pretty strong hurricane. Igor is in the Atlantic and the warm waters and the ideal wind conditions have helped it grow stronger.

So I want to ask our meteorologist Jacqui Jeras now about the intensity of this storm and how much we should be worried about it -- Jacqui.

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, we should be worried to a degree. And you know you asked me during the commercial break actually, why do we care about Igor?

Well, first of all, it is a major storm. It is a major hurricane, Category 4. And when we're talking about winds of 140 miles-per-hour, you know, that's something to be concerned about.

But the other thing we're worried about is the location that it's in. Even though it's in the middle of the open waters right now, well, guess what, storms that tend to track in the similar area have about a one-in-ten chance of making U.S. landfall. So that's why we're worried about Igor.

Here you can see what it looks like on the satellite picture, a very impressive storm on the satellite with a very well-defined eye, very good outflow and it's a very symmetrical storm. So it's, you know, kind of round all the way around. It's moving in a westerly direction. And we still have several days before it gets anywhere close to land.

Check out the forecast track brings it to the north of the Lesser Antilles so that's a little bit of good news. But with this powerful of a storm, it's certainly going to be bringing some wave action. So, if you have travel plans out there to the U.S. Virgin Islands or maybe even to Puerto Rico, that's something that you're going to be watching.

Most of the computer models bring it closer to Bermuda than they do to the United States but this far out in time, Don, we're talking at least a week before this thing could get close to the U.S. and that far out, we're just a little too close to call; a little too close for comfort. LEMON: All right Jacqui. Keep monitoring that for us. I'm always concerned about that.

You know, we were just in New Orleans last week and we're talking about Hurricane Katrina. So you never know. You never know. You just keep a watchful eye.

JERAS: You never know.

LEMON: Thank you, Jacqui Jeras.

JERAS: Sure.

Three days after a gas line fire killed four people and devastated a San Francisco suburb, you may be wondering, how safe is your neighborhood? I'm wondering. My neighbors are wondering. People have been talking about it wondering. Coming up: a look at the hidden dangers that may be under your home; you want to pay attention.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: You know, the tragic gas explosion in San Bruno, California is focusing attention on what lies underground; the massive network of pipelines that transport oil and gas all over the country. There's 2.3 million miles of them down there.

And just how old are these pipes? How old are they? How safe is your neighborhood?

Joining me now, Stan Wise; he is a member of the Georgia Public Service Commission. Stan, thanks for joining us.

STAN WISE, GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION: I'm glad to be here.

LEMON: So listen, I believe the pipelines here or many in San Bruno were put in place like, they said, in 1945, that long ago. So how old are the oil and gas pipelines for the most part in this country?

WISE: In the country there is an aging infrastructure but in many jurisdictions, they are upgrading in Georgia. That's one of the things that we've continued to do. And in the last decade we've replaced about 90 percent of the infrastructure in our state. But in other parts of the country they probably have not been as aggressive. But it's still a safe delivery system.

LEMON: So what's being done? You said you have replaced -- here in Georgia, you've replaced a lot. But what's being done around the country to address this issue?

WISE: Again, it's a partnership between the local jurisdiction, the utilities, the public service commissions, and the federal jurisdiction that has some oversight over the pipelines in those areas. LEMON: So as I'm walking in my neighborhood this week and the people are, "Oh, my gosh, that explosion. We live in an old historic neighborhood." What kinds of questions should we be asking our city officials, our state officials about this?

WISE: Clearly, you could start with your Public Service Commission. You need to ask how old is the infrastructure? How old are the pipes? Have they been replaced? Are they being replaced? And pay attention in that way.

At the same time, you can go ahead and always be an observant citizen as well.

LEMON: All right. We talked about all the gas pipe-- the lines that run under the country. Look at that. We said that 2.3 million miles of them underground -- under us. Most of them, the bulk of them in Louisiana and Texas, obviously, we get a lot of our oil from there. We're doing the story with the Gulf oil --

WISE: Right.

LEMON: -- so what have you. So look at all this. And we cover these stories all the time about gas explosions. You don't know. We always say in the news, could it happen here? It really could.

WISE: It could. There's always a possibility of that. And that's one of the things that individual jurisdictions are working so hard to upgrade these aging systems. That's what we do and that's what many of the other states with appropriate leadership can do. But there's a cost associated with it.

And so if there's an aging infrastructure and it's a 60 or 70- year-old system, then you have to look to utilities. You have to look to the state public service office.

LEMON: Ok, so here's the thing. You smell gas, natural gas, although we don't really smell the gas. It's the additive they put in so you can smell it. Correct?

WISE: Right, exactly.

LEMON: So you smell it all the time and you don't think twice. So what do you do now if you smell gas? I'm sure more people, if they're paying attention to the news, are going to be calling to say, "Hey, I smell gas."

WISE: There's a catch phrase: smell gas, act fast. Call 911.

LEMON: Really?

WISE: Absolutely. Call 911. If you smell gas, don't play around with it. Get it done.

LEMON: Just that --

(CROSSTALK) WISE: Then there are appropriate measures in our state. We are very aggressive that the appropriate authorities are called. Our pipeline safety division is called. The utility is called. The first responders on the scene will react and react quickly to any incident to go ahead and make the area safe and to take care of public safety.

LEMON: Great information. Great information, I think it's a conversation that our viewers needed to hear because again, a lot of people are concerned about it. We smell gas, we did nothing. We called and no one did anything. But we'll see.

Thank you, Stan, we appreciate it.

WISE: I'm glad to be here.

LEMON: Yes.

And I'll tell you, make sure to watch us tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern because we're going to show you how to find where the pipelines are in your very neighborhood. So again, make sure you join us tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern here on CNN.

You know, it's a controversy that has swept the nation. We're talking about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. Across the country there's no shortages of opinions about what should be done. Coming up tonight in tonight's cover story, we take a fresh look at the imam, the builder, and the backlash.

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