Pipeline Information for Local Government

For the most part the regulatory authority for the siting and safety of pipelines falls upon the federal government, and to a lesser extent state government. Yet local government has to respond to pipeline emergencies, and local government is where citizens often turn for answers to pipeline questions. One area where local government does play an important role in pipeline safety is through zoning and land use rule making. Transmission pipelines were once built mainly in rural areas, but as our cities and towns expand outward new businesses and housing developments are encroaching on pipeline right-of-ways. Often entities such as local school boards or hospitals have little or no knowledge of pipelines, so it is important that local communities think about the siting of such structures near pipelines. Below are some strategies that communities are starting to embrace, along with links of where to get more information.

Improved Planning Near Pipelines
One way that many communities have started to protect both their citizens and the pipelines is by passing ordinances that address land use issues near pipelines. The Washington Municipal Research and Services Center has a webite about planning near pipelines that can be accessed here. One of the easiest ways to increase safety is through the use of Consultation Zones. To download a proposed ordinance that implements Consultation Zones click here. Some communities have instituted setbacks from pipelines. To review some sample and actual setback ordinances click here.

Disclosure Requirements
There have been situations around the country where people have bought property only to find out later that there are existing or proposed pipeline right-of-ways on or near that property. This has caused much unnecessary conflict between property owners, pipeline operators, local government, and real estate professionals. One very basic way to avoid such conflict is to ensure that those buying property have been clearly notified about the right-of-ways that exist so they can make an informed decision about buying such property. Some states and local government have passed disclosure laws to ensure such clear notification. To review some sample disclosure laws click here.

Emergency Responder Training
Numerous national, state, and private organizations have prepared training information or provide in-person training programs for emergency responders to better prepare them for responding to a variety of pipeline emergency situations. To find out more about these programs click here.

National Pipeline Mapping System
The National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) is a geographic information system (GIS) created by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) in cooperation with other federal and state governmental agencies and the pipeline industry. The NPMS consists of geospatial data, attribute data, public contact information, and metadata pertaining to the interstate and intrastate gas and hazardous liquid transmission pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, and hazardous liquid breakout tanks jurisdictional to PHMSA. These GIS layers are available to local governments.

The nominal accuracy of geospatial data in the NPMS is +/-500 feet. Therefore, the NPMS should never be used as a substitute for contacting a one-call center before excavating.

Remember to call be for you dig by dialing 811! To find a pipeline in your area visit the National Pipeline Mapping System click here. https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/

Creating a Pipeline Safety Advisory Committee
One great asset to a state is the creation of a citizens committee on Pipeline Safety. In 2000, the Washington State Governor and the State Legislature established, in state law, the Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety (CCOP). CCOP has been established to advise the state agencies and other appropriate federal and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to hazardous liquid and gas pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation, and maintenance.” The committee consists of nine voting members representing the public, including local government, and elected officials. Four non-voting members represent owners and operators of hazardous liquid and gas pipelines.More information on the Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety Please check out the following information.Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 81.88.140
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=81.88.140

The Washington State Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety http://www.governor.wa.gov/boards/profiles/1000336.asp

Washington Utilities and Trade Commission
http://www.wutc.wa.gov/pipeline/ccops

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)
NARUC’s mission is to serve the public interest by improving the quality and effectiveness of public utility regulation. Under State law, NARUC’s members have the obligation to ensure the establishment and maintenance of utility services as may be required by the public convenience and necessity, and to ensure that such services are provided at rates and conditions that are just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory for all consumers.

http://www.naruc.org/

Contact information for the Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety

http://www.naruc.org/committees.cfm?c=25

Community Assistance and Technical Services (CATS)
Everyone has a stake in the safety and integrity of energy pipelines. CATS is an innovative program within the Pipelines & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) designed to meet the growing demand for enhanced stakeholder communications and to help facilitate permitting processes related to pipeline safety.

The mission of the OPS CATS is to advance public safety, environmental protection and pipeline reliability by facilitating clear communications among all pipeline stakeholders, including the public, the operators and government officials.

http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/CATS.htm

Pipeline Studies and Special Reports

http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/P_Stu.htm

http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/LocalOfficials.htm