Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety Carl Weimer Executive

Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety Carl Weimer, Executive Director Pipeline Safety Trust

Pipelines 101 The energy transportation network of the United States consists of over 2 million miles of pipelines. That's enough to circle the earth 83 times. These pipelines are operated by more than 3, 000 companies, large and small. The network includes: * 160, 000 miles of hazardous liquid lines; * 305, 000 miles of natural gas transmission lines; * 1, 860, 000 miles of natural gas distribution lines; and * 70, 000 miles of propane distribution pipelines.

How important are pipelines? ･ Replacing even one modest-sized pipeline, which might transport 150, 000 barrels per day, would require 750 tanker truck loads per day, a load delivered every two minutes around the clock. Source - Association of Oil Pipe Lines

Does greater pipeline safety drive up the cost of gas? Currently transporting gasoline by pipeline adds 24 cents per gallon, so even huge increases in safety requirements would add little to the consumer’s price for gas

Types of Pipelines n Hazardous Liquid Pipelines carry fuels like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. n Gas Pipelines carry natural gas and propane. n Transmission Pipelines are the larger lines that move gas and liquids around the country n Distribution Pipelines are the smaller lines that move mainly gas within communities and to our individual homes and businesses. n Interstate Pipelines are lines that cross state or national boundaries n Intrastate Pipelines are lines that do not cross state boundaries.

Who Uses Natural Gas? Residential Customers 90% of all Customers, Use 23 % of Supply Commercial Customers 9% of all Customers, Use 14% of Supply Industrial Customers <1% of all customers, Use 38% of Supply Electrical Generation Customers <1% of all customers, Use 25% of Supply

Major Crude Oil Pipelines v

Refined Product Pipelines Gasoline, Diesel, Jet Fuel, etc.

Who Regulates Pipelines? Safe operations & maintenance of distribution & intrastate pipelines Varies from state to state depending on what authority states have chosen to request. If state does not request authority, then the authority to regulate remains with U. S. Department of Transportation’s, Office of Pipeline Safety Safe operations & maintenance of all interstate pipelines U. S. Department of Transportation’s, Office of Pipeline Safety http: //ops. dot. gov/ Siting, abandonment, and related environmental issues for interstate natural gas pipelines Federal Energy Regulatory Commission http: //www. ferc. gov/industries/gas. asp

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS TITLE 49 --Transportation Subtitle B- CHAPTER 1 - SUBCHAPTER D--PIPELINE SAFETY • 190 - PIPELINE SAFETY PROGRAMS AND RULEMAKING PROCEDURES • 191 - TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE; ANNUAL REPORTS, INCIDENT REPORTS, AND SAFETY-RELATED CONDITION REPORTS • 192 - TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS • 193 - LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITIES: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS • 194 - RESPONSE PLANS FOR ONSHORE OIL PIPELINES • 195 - TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE • 198 - REGULATIONS FOR GRANTS TO AID STATE PIPELINE SAFETY PROGRAMS • 199 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

Site Preparation

Stringing the Pipe

Trenching

Bending the Pipe

Welding Each welder must pass qualification tests to work on a particular pipeline job Qualified technicians take Xrays of the pipe welds to ensure the completed welds meet federally prescribed quality standards.

Coating the Welds

Lowering & Backfilling

Testing Generally, but with certain exceptions, all newly constructed hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines must be hydrostatically tested before they can be placed into service.

Site Restoration

What causes pipelines to fail?

Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

What are the real pipeline safety issues?

Property Damage Totals

Property Damage/Mile of Pipe

Main Concerns with New Pipelines Being Built

Call Before You Dig

Environmental Concerns with Gas Pipelines n Most concerns with natural gas pipelines are during the construction phase. - Harm to wetlands, stream/river crossings, habitat corridors. n Ongoing clearing of pipeline right-of-way

Environmental Concerns with Liquid Pipelines • Soil contamination • Toxic components of fuel • Contamination of aquatic resources and drinking water

Property Rights • Eminent domain • Property devaluation • Loss of use of property • Restoration

Ways to Improve Safety n n n Ensure adequate inspections, regulations, and enforcement Place pipelines away from populated and sensitive areas Provide adequate setbacks Educate Landowners & Contractors Provide clear disclosure when property sells

The Bottom Line Safe Pipelines or More Tragedies

Please Join With Us 1155 North State Street, Suite 609 Bellingham, WA 98225 360 -543 -5686 carl@pstrust. org http: //www. pstrust. org