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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 – Overall Results

Overall Results for: Pipeline Safety

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 10.6 percent * 10.6 26
There is a pipeline proposed in my area 24.5 percent * 24.5 67
I work for the pipeline industry 20.9 percent * 20.9 57
I have been affected by a pipeline accident or leak 2.9 percent * 2.9 8
I help regulate some aspect of pipelines 16.8 percent * 16.8 46
There is a pipeline near where I or someone I care about lives or works 11.0 percent * 11.0 30
I have read about pipeline accidents 2.9 percent * 2.9 8
Other 10.3 percent * 10.3 28
Total Responses: 273

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

Percentage Responses
Yes 67.8 percent * 67.8 185
No 12.1 percent * 12.1 33
I don’t know enough to say 14.3 percent * 14.3 39
Other 5.9 percent * 5.9 16
Total Responses: 273

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 73.6 percent * 73.6 201
No effect on Value 15.8 percent * 15.8 43
Other 10.6 percent * 10.6 29
Total Responses: 263

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 36

(13.33%)

39

(14.44%)

54

(20.00%)

72

(26.67%)

69

(25.56%)

270 3.37 / 5

(67.40%)

Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 46

(16.97%)

37

(13.65%)

55

(20.30%)

59

(21.77%)

74

(27.31%)

271 3.29 / 5

(65.80%)

Protect people from death, injuries, and long term health effects from leaks, explosions, ruptures, and fires 4

(1.48%)

1

(0.37%)

7

(2.59%)

8

(2.96%)

250

(92.59%)

270 4.85 / 5

(97.00%)

Protect natural resources (fish, wildlife, drinking water, forests, etc) from leaks, releases and disturbances 3

(1.11%)

11

(4.06%)

37

(13.65%)

84

(31.00%)

136

(50.18%)

271 4.25 / 5

(85.00%)

Protect private and public property from damage from pipeline failures or maintenance activities 4

(1.48%)

16

(5.9%)

39

(14.39%)

79

(29.15%)

133

(49.08%)

271 4.18 / 5

(83.60%)

3.99 / 5

(79.76%)

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 7.7 percent * 7.7 20
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 49.0 percent * 48.0 130
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 1.5 percent * 1.8 5
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 27.6 percent * 28.0 76
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 6.5 percent * 6.8 17
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 7.7 percent * 8.1 22
Total Responses: 271

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 27.1 percent * 28.0 111
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 12.5 percent * 12.4 49
Send someone door to door to talk with people 13.0 percent * 13.1 52
Hang an information packet on my door 12.0 percent * 12.4 49
Invite me to a community meeting about it 18.9 percent * 18.2 72
Use catchy radio or TV ads 9.0 percent * 8.8 35
Other 7.4 percent * 7.1 28
Total Responses: 396

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 25

(10.20%)

25

(10.20%)

40

(16.33%)

43

(17.55%)

44

(17.96%)

68

(27.76%)

245 4.06 / 6

(67.67%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 48

(20.25%)

29

(12.24%)

35

(14.77%)

39

(16.46%)

50

(21.10%)

36

(15.19%)

237 3.51 / 6

(58.50%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 28

(11.48%)

21

(8.61%)

25

(10.25%)

36

(14.75%)

52

(21.31%)

82

(33.61%)

244 4.27 / 6

(71.17%)

Send me an email 57

(24.15%)

36

(15.25%)

39

(16.53%)

34

(14.41%)

33

(13.98%)

37

(15.68%)

236 3.26 / 6

(54.33%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 27

(10.89%)

20

(8.06%)

25

(10.08%)

22

(8.87%)

34

(13.71%)

120

(48.39%)

248 4.52 / 6

(75.33%)

Leave a notice on my door 52

(21.58%)

34

(14.11%)

33

(13.69%)

42

(17.43%)

52

(21.58%)

28

(11.62%)

241 3.38 / 6

(56.33%)

No notice required – Just do the work 173

(78.28%)

12

(5.43%)

13

(5.88%)

10

(4.52%)

6

(2.71%)

7

(3.17%)

221 1.57 / 6

(26.17%)

25

(73.53%)

3

(8.82%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(5.88%)

1

(2.94%)

3

(8.82%)

34 1.82 / 6

(30.33%)

3.51 / 6

(58.44%)

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

29

(10.78%)

24

(8.92%)

52

(19.33%)

51

(18.96%)

77

(28.62%)

36

(13.38%)

269 3.86 / 6

(64.33%)

Pipeline Company Employee 65

(24.16%)

38

(14.13%)

37

(13.75%)

57

(21.19%)

50

(18.59%)

22

(8.18%)

269 3.20 / 6

(53.33%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 31

(11.61%)

32

(11.99%)

59

(22.10%)

61

(22.85%)

63

(23.60%)

21

(7.87%)

267 3.58 / 6

(59.67%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 14

(5.20%)

15

(5.58%)

26

(9.67%)

60

(22.30%)

96

(35.69%)

58

(21.56%)

269 4.42 / 6

(73.67%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 10

(3.75%)

16

(5.99%)

41

(15.36%)

51

(19.10%)

99

(37.08%)

50

(18.73%)

267 4.36 / 6

(72.67%)

Environmental / Community Group 30

(11.32%)

43

(16.23%)

53

(20.00%)

56

(21.13%)

54

(20.38%)

29

(10.94%)

265 3.56 / 6

(59.33%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 9

(3.41%)

12

(4.55%)

34

(12.88%)

55

(20.83%)

87

(32.95%)

67

(25.38%)

264 4.52 / 6

(75.33%)

3.93 / 6 (65.46%)

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

Percentage Responses
True 31.0 percent * 31.0 83
False 69.0 percent * 69.0 185
Total Responses: 268

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

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 8.1 percent * 8.1 22
At least 1500 feet away 39.9 percent * 39.9 109
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 12.5 percent * 12.5 34
Other 39.6 percent * 39.6 108
Total Responses: 273

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 5.9 percent * 5.9 16
At least 1500 feet away 38.5 percent * 38.5 105
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 12.5 percent * 12.5 34
Other 43.2 percent * 43.2 118
Total Responses: 273

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 5.5 percent * 5.5 32
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 31.6 percent * 31.6 185
Who is operating the pipeline 23.1 percent * 21.1 135
The terrain and surrounding structures 20.3 percent * 20.3 119
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 12.3 percent * 12.3 72
Other 7.2 percent * 7.2 42
Total Responses: 585

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 5.1 percent * 5.1 30
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 31.0 percent * 31.0 183
Who is operating the pipeline 23.7 percent * 23.7 140
The terrain and surrounding structures 21.7 percent * 21.7 128
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 11.7 percent * 11.7 69
Other 6.8 percent * 6.8 40
Total Responses: 590

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

9

(3.40%)

8

(3.02%)

24

(9.06%)

35

(13.21%)

41

(15.47%)

60

(22.64%)

88

(33.21%)

265 5.35 / 7

(76.43%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

1

(0.38%)

6

(2.26%)

5

(1.88%)

12

(4.51%)

32

(12.03%)

63

(23.68%)

147

(55.26%)

266 6.18 / 7

(88.29%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 7

(2.66%)

11

(4.18%)

22

(8.37%)

33

(12.55%)

36

(13.69%)

43

(16.35%)

111

(42.21%)

263 5.48 / 7

(78.29%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

7

(2.65%)

21

(7.95%)

24

(9.09%)

36

(13.64%)

44

(16.67%)

53

(20.08%)

79

(29.92%)

264 5.14 / 7

(73.43%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 16

(6.02%)

16

(6.02%)

22

(8.27%)

34

(12.78%)

33

(12.41%)

41

(15.41%)

104

(39.10%)

266 5.22 / 7

(74.57%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

3

(1.13%)

2

(0.75%)

9

(3.38%)

13

(4.89%)

32

(12.03%)

52

(19.55%)

155

(58.27%)

266 6.18 / 7

(88.29%)

5.59 / 7 (79.89%)

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 3.0 percent * 3.0 4
The pipeline company clearing and side trimming trees and brush along the right-of-way 8.9 percent * 8.9 12
Noise from the pipeline company patrolling the right-of-way in an airplane 5.2 percent * 5.2 7
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 6.7 percent * 6.7 9
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 7.4 percent * 7.4 10
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc 29.6 percent * 29.6 40
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 23.0 percent * 23.0 31
Other 16.3 percent * 16.3 22
Total Responses: 135

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