Current Interests
Rare job opening to lead the country’s premier public interest pipeline safety organization. Do you want to make a safety difference, or know someone who does? Share this far and wide, and help us find our new Executive Director! Read the job announcement here.
Read a transcript of the PST Testimony to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Hearing on Pipeline Safety:Reviewing the Status of Mandates and Examining Additional Safety Needs, April 2, 2019.
Funding Opportunity for local communities and non-profits: PHMSA has announced the opening of the application period for Community Technical Assistance grants. Applications are due May 3, 2019. Click here for more information.
To help people visualize how often pipelines fail we have created maps that allow you to examine failure information state by state, and the pop-up windows will provide reported information on each failure as you select it.
Videos and PowerPoint presentations from our conference are now available for on demand viewing. You can find them here.
If you are looking for information and data that relates to the Columbia Gas of Massachusetts tragedy on 9/13/18 we have posted quite a bit of information here.
Results of our 2017 state pipeline safety website review are now posted! Check out our take on this year’s review at the Smart Pig Blog.
Our conference held on November 2-3 was a great success! Videos and speaker presentation documents are now available on our conference page.
UPDATE: New hazardous liquid rule delayed due to Trump administration executive order. Here is our press release with our thoughts on these new rules. See the rule that was going to be published here.
We are now posting video and presentation slides from our recent Pipeline Safety Trust conference held in New Orleans. You can find these at this link.
Winter 2016 newsletter available
Featuring articles on Dilbit and Keystone XL. Download your copy now.
Many Comments Submitted on Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Rulemaking.
Comments were due January 8 to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. See links on our page about Opportunities for Comment and Participation.
Pipeline Safety Trust Executive Director honored at the White House as a Champion of Change!
Carl Weimer, the Trust Executive Director, was recognized on Tuesday, Oct 13 at the White House as one of 11 individuals from across the country as “White House Transportation Champions of Change.”
2015 Public Transparency Review of State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA
The annual Public Transparency Review of State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA is now live on our website. Check it out.
On July 14th the Trust Testified to Congress
You can review all testimony here, or view a video of the entire hearing here
Local Government Guide to Pipelines
The Pipeline Safety Trust has a Local Government Guide to Pipelines available on our Pipeline Information for Local Government page
Breaking News
To see news that has rolled off of our home page click here
After pipeline blast killed Dallas 12-year-old, Texas lawmakers pass bills to prevent gas explosions, by James Barragán, State government reporter, Dallas News
Court to rule if B.C. can limit bitumen in key case for Trans Mountain pipeline, The Canadian Press
Laura Kane, May 23, 2019
Michigan AG: I’ll move to shut oil pipeline if talks fail, David Eggert, Associated Press, Monday, April 29, 2019
Uwchlan residents interrupt construction on Mariner East project, MediaNews Group Apr 30, 2019
Land Grab: Property Owners Fight Back Against Pipeline IOUs, WTKR, By Web Staff And CNN Wire, Updated At 11:49am, April 10, 2019
1 dead, at least 16 injured after gas leak causes explosion in Durham, Law360, By RJ Vogt, April 28, 2019
Pennsylvania’s new Pipeline Caucus wants stronger regulation of Mariner East II, By Elizabeth Hardison (March 19, 2019)
Pipeline safety probe underway involving Sunoco pipeline in Berks County, MediaNews Group (March 19, 2019)
Dallas family sues Atmos Energy for more than $1 million after gas explosion forced them to ‘start over again’, Dana Branham, (March 18, 2019)
Hundreds of new oil wells could soon triple Santa Barbara County production, By Monica Vaughan (March 18, 2019)
Feds Say Over-Pressurized Gas Line Caused Massive Massachusetts Explosion, Justin Rice (September 17, 2018)
Major gas leak briefly closes Highway 50 in Fremont County, Nia Bender (September 17, 2018)
Pressure Increase Noted In Pipeline Console Prior To Explosions, Daniel Libon (Sep 15, 2018)
Deadly Mass. gas blasts highlight dangers of aging system, Mike Lee and Mike Soraghan (September 14, 2018)
Dane County pipeline case moves to Supreme Court, Steven Elbow (September 13, 2018)
Enbridge Fined for Failing to Fully Inspect Pipelines After Kalamazoo Oil Spill By David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News (May 3, 2018)
Dallas Leaders Criticize Atmos Gas Line Replacement Plans By Ken Kalthoff, NBCDFW.com (April 18, 2018)
Federal lawsuit over a gas pipeline near Belton is brought back to life By Kirk Brown, Anderson Independent Mail (April 12, 2018)
Now split in 3, long-delayed pipeline safety rule must navigate new challenges By Sarah Smith, S&P Global (April 10, 2018)
Spill fears rise even as Line 3 backers vow new pipeline will be safe By Dan Kraker, Minnesota Public Radio (March 27, 2018)
Cutting Trees, PG&E Strikes Nerve on Ocean Street Extension By Andrea Patton, Good Times (March 20, 2018)
E&E News seeks open PHMSA hearing on Cheniere leaks By Mike Soraghan, E&E News (March 16, 2018)
Southeast pipeline project staves off shutdown, for now By Ellen M. Gilmer, E&E News (February 7, 2018)
FERC approves PennEast, saying it would supply needed natural gas By Jon Hurdle, StateImpact Pennsylvania, (January 22, 2018)
US Rep. Mike Bishop proposes pipeline safety bill for Great Lakes By Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, (January 20, 2018)
Stretch of pipeline to be replaced after Orion blast By Mike Martindale, The Detroit News, (January 15, 2018)
Groups sue to block construction of Louisiana pipeline By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press, (January 12, 2018)
Pennsylvania shuts down construction on Sunoco gas pipeline By Anya Litvak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, (January 3, 2018)
To see news that has rolled off of our home page click here.
Connect with us on social media
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Pipeline safety advocates applauded the state agency for going beyond what the federal government and industry have been proposing. Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, said he hopes industry lobbying doesn't weaken the regulations.
"We support this draft proposal and hope the Railroad Commission puts the safety of Texans first," he said.
To comment go to: rrc.texas.gov/general-counsel/rules/draft-rules-for-informal-comment/
OIL AND GAS: Texas proposes rules for unregulated pipelines
Texas oil and gas officials have proposed sweeping new rules for rural gath...17 hours ago ·
"The current similar proposals from PHMSA and the industry, while good incremental improvements, leave the vast majority of these lines unregulated and the people living near them unprotected," said Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust.
OIL AND GAS: Battle brews over rule on pipelines linked to deadly blasts
Oil and gas industry groups say federal regulators have struck a good balan...4 weeks ago ·
One of the nation's top pipeline safety experts says he's concerned about the deal.
Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, an independent advocacy group based in Bellingham, Washington, said the CPUC should carefully review Crimson's recent safety history.
"I think the regulators would want to get some assurance that Crimson has the ability to operate and maintain a pipeline that's already been somewhat problematic," Weimer said.
Industry, Safety Advocate Raise Concerns Over Sale of Large California Oil Pipeline
The pipeline, which carries crude to Bay Area refineries, ruptured twice se...4 weeks ago ·
Remembering our pipeline tragedy
Whatcom Creek, June 10, 1999
By James Bertolino
We must ask questions of the world.
Liam, and Wade, and Stephen.
The anguish has been long, long and we look down.
1 month ago ·
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, RECOGNIZING THE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLYMPIC PIPELINE EXPLOSION
WHEREAS, on June 10, 1999, a petroleum owned and operated by the Olympic Pipe Line Company ruptured in Bellingham, releasing approximately 237,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline into Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park; and
WHEREAS, the gasoline ignited and exploded causing the deaths of two young boys – Wade King and Stephen Tsiorvas - and a young man – Liam Wood - who were beloved residents of this community; and
WHEREAS, the explosion burned approximately 26 acres of riparian forest and killed more than 100,000 fish and 3,000 birds and small mammals; and
WHEREAS, the City initiated an emergency response to skim petroleum from the water, remove contaminated material and hazardous trees from the streambed and banks, replaced streambed gravel, conducted invasive plant control and added native trees in the burn zone; and
WHEREAS, a Washington state law was passed in 2000 that expanded the Utilities and Transportation Commission’s authority, and allowed them to provide state inspectors to better enforce federal laws on pipelines in Washington state; and
WHEREAS, numerous citizens and agencies came together to press the federal government to pass additional legislation to prevent such a tragic event from happening in any other community, resulting in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and the Pipeline, Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety Act of 2006; and
WHEREAS, the City successfully joined with the parents who lost their children to advocate for the creation of a national Pipeline Safety Trust that to this day continues the push for safer pipelines; and
WHEREAS, after 20 years of intense restoration actions including instream habitat restoration projects at Cemetery Creek (2006), Salmon Park (2006) and Red Tail Reach (2008), Whatcom Creek ecosystems show significant signs of recovery; and
WHEREAS, City sponsored Washington Conservation Corps crews have re-vegetated over 200 acres; and
WHEREAS, the City continues to conduct long-term monitoring and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, June 10th is recognized as National Pipeline Safety Day
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM:
1. Recognizes the 20-year anniversary of the Olympic Pipeline explosion in Whatcom Falls Park.
2. Encourages our community to observe and honor this day and those affected by these tragic events.
PASSED by the Council this 3rd day of June, 2019.
1 month ago ·