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Pipeline Safety TrustPipeline Safety Trust

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 – Effected By, Live Near or Read Of Results

Results from those who said they had been effected by an incident, had read about incidents, or had a pipeline near
where they lived or work

Download a pdf of these 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 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
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 17.4 percent * 17.4 8
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 65.2 percent * 65.2/td> 30
I have read about pipeline accidents 17.4 percent * 17.4 8
Other 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Total Responses: 46

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

Percentage Responses
Yes 54.3 percent * 54.3 25
No 10.9 percent * 10.9 5
I don’t know enough to say 30.4 percent * 30.4 14
Other 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
Total Responses: 46

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 84.8 percent * 84.8 39
No effect on Value 10.9 percent * 10.9 5
Other 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
Total Responses: 46

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 3

(6.52%)

4

(8.89%)

15

(33.33%)

8

(17.78%)

13

(28.89%)

45 13

(28.89%)

Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 4

(8.89%)

6

(13.33%)

6

(13.33%)

12

(26.67%)

17

(37.78%)

45 3.71 / 5

(74.20%)

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

(2.22%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.22%)

0

(0.00%)

43

(95.56%)

45 4.87 / 5

(97.40%)

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

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

6

(13.33%)

13

(28.89%)

26

(57.78%)

45 4.44 / 5

(88.80%)

Protect private and public property from damage from pipeline failures or maintenance activities 1

(2.22%)

4

(8.89%)

6

(13.33%)

12

(26.67%)

22

(48.89%)

45 4.11 / 5

(82.20%)

4.11 / 5

(82.28%)

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 8.9 percent * 8.9 4
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 35.6 percent * 35.6 16
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 40.0 percent * 40.0 18
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 4.4 percent * 4.4 2
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 11.1 percent * 11.1 5
Total Responses: 45

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 27.4 percent * 27.4 20
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 17.8 percent * 17.8 13
Send someone door to door to talk with people 9.6 percent * 9.6 7
Hang an information packet on my door 17.8 percent * 17.8 13
Invite me to a community meeting about it 15.1 percent * 15.1 11
Use catchy radio or TV ads 6.8 percent * 6.8 5
Other 5.5 percent * 5.5 4
Total Responses: 72

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 4

(10.00%)

4

(10.00%)

8

(20.00%)

6

(15.00%)

5

(12.50%)

13

(32.50%)

40 4.08 / 6

(68.00%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 8

(20.51%)

7

(17.95%)

5

(12.82%)

5

(12.82%)

7

(17.95%)

7

(17.95%)

39 3.44 / 6

(57.33%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 4

(10.26%)

2

(4.88%)

8

(19.51%)

6

(14.63%)

5

(12.20%)

16

(39.02%)

41 4.32 / 6

(72.00%)

Send me an email 11

(26.19%)

9

(21.43%)

5

(11.90%)

5

(11.90%)

4

(9.52%)

8

(19.05%)

42 3.14 / 6

(52.33%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 5

(11.63%)

1

(2.33%)

8

(18.60%)

8

(18.60%)

6

(13.95%)

15

(34.88%)

43 4.26 / 6

(71.00%)

Leave a notice on my door 8

(18.60%)

2

(4.65%)

7

(16.28%)

7

(16.28%)

12

(27.91%)

7

(16.28%)

43 3.79 / 6

(63.17%)

No notice required – Just do the work 32

(86.49%)

2

(5.41%)

1

(2.70%)

2

(5.41%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

37 1.27 / 6

(21.17%)

6

(66.67%)

1

(11.11%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(11.11%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(11.11%)

9 2.00 / 6

(33.33%)

3.46 / 6

(57.68%)

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

5

(11.11%)

6

(13.33%)

11

(24.44%)

11

(24.44%)

11

(24.44%)

1

(2.22%)

45 3.44 / 6

(57.33%)

Pipeline Company Employee 13

(28.89%)

8

(17.78%)

7

(15.56%)

11

(24.44%)

5

(11.11%)

1

(2.22%)

45 2.78 / 6

(46.33%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 4

(8.89%)

7

(15.56%)

10

(22.22%)

8

(17.78%)

14

(31.11%)

2

(4.44%)

45 3.60 / 6

(60.00%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 0

(0.00%)

1

(2.22%)

2

(4.44%)

14

(31.11%)

18

(40.00%)

10

(22.22%)

45 4.76 / 6

(79.33%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 1

(2.22%)

5

(11.11%)

7

(15.56%)

10

(22.22%)

14

(31.11%)

8

(17.78%)

45 4.22 / 6

(70.33%)

Environmental / Community Group 5

(11.36%)

4

(9.09%)

11

(25.00%)

12

(27.27%)

8

(18.18%)

4

(9.09%)

44 3.59 / 6

(59.83%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 1 (2.22%) 1

(2.22%)

3

(6.67%)

13

(28.89%)

14

(31.11%)

13

(28.89%)

45 4.71 / 6

(78.50%)

3.87 / 6

(64.54%)

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

Percentage Responses
True 17.8 percent * 17.8 8
False 82.2 percent * 82.2 37
Total Responses: 45

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

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
At least 1500 feet away 28.3 percent * 28.3 13
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 26.1 percent * 26.1 12
Other 41.3 percent * 41.3 19
Total Responses: 46

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 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
At least 1500 feet away 26.1 percent * 26.1 12
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 28.3 percent * 28.3 13
Other 41.3 percent * 41.3 19
Total Responses: 46

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 8.5 percent * 8.5 8
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 30.9 percent * 30.9 29
Who is operating the pipeline 21.3 percent * 21.3 20
The terrain and surrounding structures 19.1 percent * 19.1 18
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 13.8 percent * 13.8 13
Other 6.4 percent * 6.4 6
Total Responses: 64

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 7.4 percent * 7.4 7
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 32.6 percent * 32.6 31
Who is operating the pipeline 21.1 percent * 21.1 20
The terrain and surrounding structures 21.1 percent * 21.1 20
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 12.6 percent * 12.6 12
Other 5.3 percent * 5.3 5
Total Responses: 102

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

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

7

(15.56%)

8

(17.78%)

7

(15.56%)

8

(17.78%)

15

(33.33%)

45 5.36 / 7

(76.57%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.27%)

3

(6.82%)

1

(2.27%)

7

(15.91%)

9

(20.45%)

23

(52.27%)

44 6.02 / 7

(86.00%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(4.55%)

5

(11.36%)

8

(18.18%)

6

(13.64%)

23

(52.27%)

44 5.98 / 7

(85.43%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.27%)

3

(6.82%)

10

(22.73%)

6

(13.64%)

9

(20.45%)

15

(34.09%)

44 5.45 / 7

(77.86%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 1

(2.22%)

2

(4.44%)

2

(4.44%)

7

(15.56%)

7

(15.56%)

8

(17.78%)

18

(40.00%)

45 5.51 / 7

(78.71%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

1

(2.22%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.22%)

2

(4.44%)

3

(6.67%)

9

(20.00%)

29

(64.44%)

45 6.31 / 7

(90.14%)

5.77 / 7

(82.45%)

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 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
The pipeline company clearing and side trimming trees and brush along the right-of-way
13.8 percent * 13.8 4
Noise from the pipeline company patrolling the right-of-way in an airplane 6.9 percent * 6.9 2
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc
34.5 percent * 34.5 10
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 17.2 percent * 17.2 5
Other 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
Total Responses: 29

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