Yes, the pipeline is publicly regulated. Yes, the March 2013 rupture of Exxon's Pegasus Pipeline in Mayflower, Arkansas, quite publicly polluted people's yards and homes. Yes, it is publicly known that there were defects and poor maintenance on the pipeline.

But 900,000 pages of documents that might show Exxon's neglect are being claimed as "confidential" by the company as it tries to defend against a class-action lawsuit.

Also secret: proceedings of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration's hearing on a $2.7 million fine against Exxon. More of this story can be found in InsideClimate News, the Pulitzer-winning watchdog that is still covering the Mayflower spill long after the mainstream media have gone home.

• "Exxon Fighting To Keep Public from Seeing 900,000 Pages of Documents in Oil Spill Lawsuit," [2] InsideClimate News, October 31, 2014, by Elizabeth Douglas.