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Pipeline Safety Trust

Credible. Independent. In the public interest.

Credible. Independent. In the public interest.
Credible. Independent. In the public interest.
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2008 Pipeline Safety Survey Results – Results for those with a pipeline on their property

Results for: those with a pipeline on their property

Download a pdf of the Overall Results

1) What is the main reason you have an interest in pipeline safety?

Percentage Responses
There is a pipeline on my property or someone’s property I care about 100 percent * 100.0 29
There is a pipeline proposed in my area 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I work for the pipeline industry 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I have been affected by a pipeline accident or leak 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I help regulate some aspect of pipelines 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
There is a pipeline near where I or someone I care about lives or works 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I have read about pipeline accidents 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Total Responses: 29

2) Do you believe that pipelines are safer than other methods (tanker trucks, trains, barges, ocean going tankers) of transporting fuels?

Percentage Responses
Yes 58.6 percent * 58.6 17
No 58.6 percent * 58.6 17
I don’t know enough to say 13.8 percent * 13.8 4
Other 6.9 percent * 6.9 2
Total Responses: 29

3) What effect do you believe a transmission pipeline on your property could have on your property’s value?

Percentage Responses
Increase Value 0 percent * 0 0
Decrease Value 69.0 percent * 69.0 20
No effect on Value 17.2 percent * 17.2 5
Other 13.8 percent * 13.8 4
Total Responses: 29

4) Please rank the following reasons for pipeline safety programs, regulations, and maintenance

1

Least

Important

2 3 4 5

Most

Important

Responses Average

Score

Ensure our pipeline system delivers the needed products without costly economic disruptions 7

(25.00%)

4

(14.29%)

6

(21.43%)

5

(17.86%)

6

(21.43%)

28 2.96 / 5

(59.20%)

Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 3

(10.71%)

5

(17.86%)

5

(17.86%)

6

(21.43%)

9

(32.14%)

28 3.46 / 5

(69.20%)

Protect people from death, injuries, and long term health effects from leaks, explosions, ruptures, and fires 1

(3.57%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(7.14%)

2

(7.14%)

23

(82.14%)

28 4.64 / 5

(92.80%)

Protect natural resources (fish, wildlife, drinking water, forests, etc) from leaks, releases and disturbances 0

(0.00%)

2

(7.14%)

5

(17.86%)

7

(25.00%)

14

(50.00%)

28 4.18 / 5

(83.60%)

Protect private and public property from damage from pipeline failures or maintenance activities 0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(6.90%)

4

(13.79%)

23

(79.31%)

29 4.72 / 5

(94.40%)

4.00 / 5

(79.94%)

5) Which of the following do you think is the major cause of transmission pipeline ruptures and leaks?

Percentage Responses
The age of the pipeline 24.1 percent * 24.1 7
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 31.0 percent * 31.0 9
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 27.6 percent * 27.6 8
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
Total Responses: 59

6) If a pipeline company wanted to provide you and your community with important information regarding their pipeline, such as where the pipeline is, what it carries, how to recognize a leak, or what to do in an emergency, what do you think would be the best way to get that information to people?

Percentage Responses
Send it in the mail 25.0 percent * 25.0 25
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 9.4 percent * 9.4 3
Send someone door to door to talk with people 28.1 percent * 28.1 9
Hang an information packet on my door 6.3 percent * 6.3 2
Invite me to a community meeting about it 25.0 percent * 25.0 8
Use catchy radio or TV ads 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 6.3 percent * 6.3 2
Total Responses: 95

7) If workers for a utility company (water, telephone, gas pipeline, etc) that owned an easement or right-of-way on your property had to come on your property to work on their utility how would you like to be notified that they were coming?

1

would

not like

2 3 4 5 6

Most

preferred

method

Responses Average

Score

Letter in the mail 5

(17.86%)

3

(10.71%)

4

(14.29%)

4

(14.29%)

8

(28.57%)

4

(14.29%)

28 3.68 / 6

(61.33%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 10

(35.71%)

0

(0.00%)

3

(10.71%)

3

(10.71%)

4

(14.29%)

8

(28.57%)

28 3.54 / 6

(59.00%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 5

(17.86%)

1

(3.57%)

1

(3.57%)

6

(21.43%)

5

(17.86%)

10

(35.71%)

28 4.25 / 6

(70.83%)

Send me an email 8

(29.63%)

3

(11.11%)

2

(7.41%)

4

(14.81%)

5

(18.52%)

5

(18.52%)

27 3.37 / 6

(56.17%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 1

(3.45%)

4

(13.79%)

1

(3.45%)

1

(3.45%)

4

(13.79%)

18

(62.07%)

29 4.97 / 6

(82.83%)

Leave a notice on my door 11

(39.29%)

5

(17.86%)

2

(7.14%)

2

(7.14%)

3

(10.71%)

5

(17.86%)

28 2.86 / 6

(47.67%)

No notice required – Just do the work 21

(84.00%)

1

(4.00%)

1

(4.00%)

1

(4.00%)

1

(4.00%)

0

(0.00%)

25 1.40 / 6

(23.33%)

1

(100.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1 1.00 / 6

(16.67%)

3.47 / 6

(57.76%)

8) If you attended a town meeting in your area to hear about the safety of a local pipeline, or a proposed pipeline project, how much would you trust the information if it was provided by the following people?

1

would

not trust

2 3 4 5 6

Trust

totally

Responses Average

Score

Federal, State, or Provincial Pipeline

Regulator

8

(27.59%)

3

(10.34%)

3

(10.34%)

6

(20.69%)

4

(13.79%)

5

(17.24%)

29 3.34 / 6

(55.67%)

Pipeline Company Employee 11

(37.93%)

4

(13.79%)

4

(13.79%)

5

(17.24%)

3

(10.34%)

2

(6.90%)

29 2.69 / 6

(44.83%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 5

(17.24%)

3

(10.34%)

6

(20.69%)

7

(24.14%)

5

(17.24%)

3

(10.34%)

29 3.45 / 6

(57.50%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 4

(13.79%)

0

(0.00%)

3

(10.34%)

6

(20.69%)

11

(37.93%)

5

(17.24%)

29 4.21 / 6

(70.17%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 2

(6.90%)

1

(3.45%)

5

(17.24%)

6

(20.69%)

11

(37.93%)

4

(13.79%)

29 4.21 / 6

(70.17%)

Environmental / Community Group 4

(13.79%)

5

(17.24%)

3

(10.34%)

9

(31.03%)

5

(17.24%)

3

(10.34%)

29 3.52 / 6

(58.67%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 1

(3.45%)

2

(6.90%)

5

(17.24%)

8

(27.59%)

6

(20.69%)

7

(24.14%)

29 4.28 / 6

(71.33%)

3.67 / 6

(61.19%)

9) I would feel comfortable living next to a large transmission pipeline

Percentage Responses
True 13.8 percent * 13.7 4
False 86.2 percent * 86.2 25
Total Responses: 29

10) How close to a high pressure natural gas transmission pipeline would you feel comfortable living?

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
At least 1500 feet away 44.8 percent * 44.8 13
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
Other 41.4 percent * 41.4 12
Total Responses: 29

11) How close to a large diameter high pressure liquid (oil, gasoline, jet fuel) pipeline would you feel comfortable living?

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
At least 1500 feet away 34.5 percent * 34.5 10
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
Other 55.2 percent * 55.2 16
Total Responses: 29

12) Would any of the following items effect your comfort level of living near or purchasing property near a high pressure natural gas transmission pipeline? (choose all that apply)

Percentage Responses
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 1.4 percent * 1.4 1
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 26.8 percent * 26.8 19
Who is operating the pipeline 19.7 percent * 19.7 14
The terrain and surrounding structures 23.9 percent * 23.9 17
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 16.9 percent * 16.9 12
Other 11.3 percent * 11.3 8
Total Responses: 70

13) Would any of the following items effect your comfort level of living near or purchasing property near a high pressure liquid (oil, gasoline, jet fuel) pipeline? (choose all that apply)

Percentage Responses
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 1.4 percent * 1.4 1
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 27.5 percent * 27.5 19
Who is operating the pipeline 17.4 percent * 17.4 12
The terrain and surrounding structures 23.2 percent * 23.2 16
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 18.8 percent * 18.8 13
Other 11.6 percent * 11.6 8
Total Responses: 49

14) Please rate the importance of the following pipeline safety improvement options

1

Least

important

2 3 4 5 6 7

Most

important

Responses Average
Score
Better and more frequent government

inspections

2

(7.14%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(7.14%)

3

(10.71%)

6

(21.43%)

6

(21.43%)

9

(32.14%)

28 5.32 / 7

(76.00%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

1

(3.45%)

1

(3.45%)

0

(0.00%)

4

(13.79%)

3

(10.34%)

7

(24.14%)

13

(44.83%)

29 5.76 / 7

(82.29%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 1

(3.45%)

1

(3.45%)

2

(6.90%)

1

(3.45%)

3

(10.34%)

5

(17.24%)

16

(55.17%)

29 5.86 / 7

(83.71%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

1

(3.57%)

0

(0.00%)

3

(10.71%)

1

(3.57%)

6

(21.43%)

5

(17.86%)

12

(42.86%)

28 5.64 / 7

(80.57%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 1

(3.57%)

0

(0.00%)

4

(14.29%)

1

(3.57%)

3

(10.71%)

3

(10.71%)

16

(57.14%)

28 5.79 / 7

(82.71%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(3.57%)

1

(3.57%)

3

(10.71%)

3

(10.71%)

20

(71.43%)

28 6.43 / 7

(91.86%)

5.80 / 7

(82.86%)

15) Please answer this question only if you have a pipeline on or near your property. Which of the following pipeline right-of-way activities have you ever found annoying?

Percentage Responses
The Pipeline company mowing the right-of-way 6.5 percent * 6.5 3
The pipeline company clearing and side trimming trees and brush along the right-of-way

13.0 percent * 13.0 6
Noise from the pipeline company patrolling the right-of-way in an airplane 6.5 percent * 6.5 3
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 13.0 percent * 13.0 6
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 13.0 percent * 13.0 6
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc
13.0 percent * 13.0 6
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 23.9 percent * 23.9 11
Other 10.9 percent * 10.9 5
Total Responses: 46

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