The decade that began in January 2010 and ended at the end of 2019 was punctuated with many astounding pipeline failures that captured the attention of the nation. We thought the end of the decade would be a good time to take a look at the PHMSA data to see what progress has been made toward the shared goal of Zero Incidents. This brief report shows what we found. The report can be downloaded … [Read more...] about A Decade in Review 2010 – 2019
Smart Pig Blog
The Continuing Education of the New Deputy Director
I’m now in my 4th week, and the state of our nation’s pipeline safety continues to shock me. I have seen many examples of the industry writing its own rules. Why the regulators abdicate this important work is beyond me. Expect to hear more from Carl on this soon. But I’d like to focus on something else in my space this week. As I dig into each area of pipeline safety, I … [Read more...] about The Continuing Education of the New Deputy Director
A Few Early Thoughts From The Pipeline Safety Trust’s New Deputy Director
I am honored and excited to join the Pipeline Safety Trust as Deputy Director. I want to thank the board for the trust they are placing in me and the staff for the warm welcome and assistance with this transition. I certainly did not imagine starting this new position in the middle of a global crisis but, while challenging in many ways, it has allowed me much more time to soak up … [Read more...] about A Few Early Thoughts From The Pipeline Safety Trust’s New Deputy Director
NH, CA and CO Improve in 2017 Website Transparency Study
Since 2011, the Pipeline Safety Trust has conducted an annual review of each state regulatory agency’s pipeline safety website. Our goal is to encourage states to make information about pipeline safety — like inspection records, incident data, maps, etc. — as transparent to the public as possible. We evaluate each website with the following criteria: Ease of finding the state agency’s … [Read more...] about NH, CA and CO Improve in 2017 Website Transparency Study
Clouded Vision
This story, Taxpayer Funded Horror at Standing Rock, came across my desk today. Here's the link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/22/taxpayer-funded-horror-at-standing-rock.html There has to be a better way: to make decisions, to spend scarce tax dollars, to treat each other. This is horrific on so many levels. For those of you concerned that these events or … [Read more...] about Clouded Vision
February Friday food for thought
A little February Friday food for thought. As most of you know, we scan news providers for stories about pipeline safety, pipeline incidents, pipeline regulations, for our listserv. Jaxon Vanderbeken, now a reporter with the NBC affiliate in San Francisco, covered the San Bruno explosion and all of the hearings, lawsuits, and political fallout for the San Francisco Chronicle for years. … [Read more...] about February Friday food for thought
Welcoming our new Outreach Manager
This week we welcome our new Outreach Manager, Kate Blystone. Or we could say we're welcoming her back, since in 2000, she was a college intern for Safe Bellingham, the community organization that preceded the formation of the Pipeline Safety Trust. In her new role, she will respond to requests for assistance from the public, assist with maintaining the Trust’s listservs, … [Read more...] about Welcoming our new Outreach Manager
Sixth Anniversary Thoughts on the Enbridge Spill in Marshall Michigan; comment opportunity
July 25, 2016 Six years ago today, Line 6b, part of Enbridge's Lakehead Pipeline System, failed in Talmadge Creek, near Marshall, Michigan. It wasn't until six years ago tomorrow, July 26 and three work shifts later that Enbridge's control center and on-site staff figured out that what they had hoped was a column separation causing a pressure change in the pipe was in fact a rupture of the pipe … [Read more...] about Sixth Anniversary Thoughts on the Enbridge Spill in Marshall Michigan; comment opportunity
Federal Pipeline Safety Program Reauthorization
Since the federal government in the United States is responsible for setting the minimum safety standards for all pipelines in this country, that puts the U.S. Congress in charge of these efforts. Congress writes the statutes which then PHMSA needs to turn into rules to implement the wishes of Congress. Every four years Congress reviews and then reauthorizes the national pipeline safety program, … [Read more...] about Federal Pipeline Safety Program Reauthorization
PHMSA announces oil spill planning program workshop
In July 2011, when the NTSB issued its report on the Enbridge Line 6b spill, it recommended that the Secretary of Transportation audit the spill response plan review program at PHMSA, as it noted some shortcomings in the program. That audit began approximately 2 years after the report was issued, and has yet to be released, as it has been undergoing "internal review" for at least a year. … [Read more...] about PHMSA announces oil spill planning program workshop