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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 – Proposed Pipeline Results

Results from those who have pipeline proposed in their area

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 100.0 percent * 100.0 57
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: 67

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

Percentage Responses
Yes 46.3 percent * 46.3 31
No 26.9 percent * 26.9 18
I don’t know enough to say 20.9 percent * 20.9 14
Other 6.0 percent * 6.0 4
Total Responses: 67

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 85.1 percent * 85.1 57
No effect on Value 11.9 percent * 11.9 8
Other 3.0 percent * 3.0 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 13 (19.70%) 9

(13.64%)

8

(12.12%)

17

(25.76%)

19

(28.79%)

66 3.30 / 5

(66.00%)

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

(4.48%)

3

(4.48%)

9

(13.43%)

21

(31.34%)

31

(46.27%)

67 4.10 / 5

(82.00%)

Protect people from death, injuries, and long term health effects from leaks, explosions, ruptures, and fires 0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(2.99%)

2

(2.99%)

63

(94.03%)

67 4.91 / 5

(98.20%)

Protect natural resources (fish, wildlife, drinking water, forests, etc) from leaks, releases and disturbances 2

(2.99%)

1

(1.49%)

4

(5.97%)

11

(16.42%)

49

(73.13%)

67 4.55 / 5

(91.00%)

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

(0.00%)

2

(2.99%)

3

(4.48%)

19

(28.36%)

43

(64.18%)

67 4.54 / 5

(90.80%)

4.28 / 5

(85.66%)

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 4.5 percent * 5.3 3
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 29.9 percent * 29.9 20
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 3.0 percent * 3.0 2
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 41.8 percent * 41.8 28
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 13.4 percent * 13.4 9
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 7.5 percent * 7.5 5
Total Responses: 67

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 34.3 percent * 34.3 36
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 11.4 percent * 11.4 12
Send someone door to door to talk with people 11.4 percent * 11.4 12
Hang an information packet on my door 7.6 percent * 7.6 8
Invite me to a community meeting about it 27.6 percent * 27.6 29
Use catchy radio or TV ads 4.8 percent * 4.8 5
Other 2.9 percent * 2.9 3
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 5

(8.33%)

5

(8.33%)

6

(10.00%)

7

(11.67%)

9

(15.00%)

28

(46.67%)

60 4.57 / 6

(76.17%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 18

(32.73%)

11

(20.00%)

7

(12.73%)

5

(9.09%)

8

(14.55%)

6

(10.91%)

55 2.85 / 6

(47.50%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 7

(12.50%)

5

(8.93%)

3

(5.36%)

6

(10.71%)

10

(17.86%)

25

(44.64%)

56 4.46 / 6

(74.33%)

Send me an email 14

(24.56%)

6

(10.53%)

7

(12.28%)

7

(12.28%)

9

(15.79%)

14

(24.56%)

57 3.58 / 6

(59.67%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 11

(18.97%)

3

(5.17%)

2

(3.45%)

2

(3.45%)

10

(17.24%)

30

(51.72%)

58 4.50 / 6

(75.00%)

Leave a notice on my door 19

(35.85%)

11

(20.75%)

3

(5.66%)

9

(16.98%)

7

(13.21%)

4

(7.55%)

53 2.74 / 6

(45.67%)

No notice required – Just do the work 46

(90.20%)

1

(1.96%)

2

(3.92%)

1

(1.96%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(1.96%)

51 1.25 / 6

(20.83%)

5

(83.33%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(16.67%)

6 1.83 / 6

(30.50%)

3.45 / 6

(57.48%)

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

13

(19.40%)

12

(17.91%)

18

(26.87%)

12

(17.91%)

9

(13.43%)

3

(4.48%)

67 3.01 / 6

(50.17%)

Pipeline Company Employee 28

(41.79%)

11

(16.42%)

14

(20.90%)

5

(7.46%)

6

(8.96%)

3

(4.48%)

67 2.39 / 6

(39.83%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 2.39 / 6

(39.83%)

8

(12.12%)

17

(25.76%)

13

(19.70%)

10

(15.15%)

4

(6.06%)

66 3.14 / 6

(52.33%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 4

(6.06%)

1

(1.52%)

7

(10.61%)

9

(13.64%)

29

(43.94%)

16

(24.24%)

66 4.61 / 6

(76.83%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 4

(6.15%)

2

(3.08%)

12

(18.46%)

11

(16.92%)

23

(35.38%)

13

(20.00%)

65 4.32 / 6

(72.00%)

Environmental / Community Group 4

(6.15%)

6

(9.23%)

12

(18.46%)

12

(18.46%)

19

(29.23%)

12

(18.46%)

65 4.11 / 6

(68.50%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 5

(7.81%)

5

(7.81%)

9

(14.06%)

15

(23.44%)

17

(26.56%)

13

(20.31%)

64 4.14 / 6

(69.00%)

3.67 / 6

(61.09%)

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

Percentage Responses
True 11.9 percent * 11.9 8
False 88.1 percent * 88.1 59
Total Responses: 67

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

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
At least 1500 feet away 22.4 percent * 22.4 15
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 22.4 percent * 22.4 15
Other 55.2 percent * 55.2 37
Total Responses: 67

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 20.9 percent * 20.9 14
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 19.4 percent * 19.4 13
Other 59.7 percent * 59.7 40
Total Responses: 67

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 14.1 percent * 14.1 19
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 28.1 percent * 28.1 38
Who is operating the pipeline 16.3 percent * 16.3 22
The terrain and surrounding structures 17.8 percent * 17.8 24
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 14.8 percent * 14.8 20
Other 8.9 percent * 8.9 12
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 12.0 percent * 12.0 17
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 27.5 percent * 27.5 39
Who is operating the pipeline 19.0 percent * 19.0 27
The terrain and surrounding structures 19.0 percent * 19.0 27
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 14.1 percent * 14.1 20
Other 8.5 percent * 8.5 12
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%)

2

(2.99%)

4

(5.97%)

7

(10.45%)

18

(26.87%)

36

(53.73%)

67 6.22 / 7

(88.86%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

0

(0.00%)

1

(1.56%)

1

(1.56%)

4

(6.25%)

11

(17.19%)

17

(26.56%)

30

(46.88%)

64 6.06 / 7

(86.57%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(1.54%)

1

(1.54%)

7

(10.77%)

10

(15.38%)

46

(70.77%)

65 6.52 / 7

(93.14%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

1

(1.54%)

1

(1.54%)

3

(4.62%)

4

(6.15%)

7

(10.77%)

16

(24.62%)

33

(50.77%)

65 6.00 / 7

(85.71%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 1

(1.52%)

2

(3.03%)

1

(1.52%)

3

(4.55%)

5

(7.58%)

8

(12.12%)

46

(69.70%)

66 6.29 / 7

(89.86%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

9

(13.43%)

6

(8.96%)

52

(77.61%)

67 6.64 / 7

(94.86%)

6.29 / 7

(89.86%)

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 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
The pipeline company clearing and side trimming trees and brush along the right-of-way
0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Noise from the pipeline company patrolling the right-of-way in an airplane 9.1 percent * 9.1 2
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 4.5 percent * 4.5 0
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc
40.9 percent * 40.9 9
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 36.4 percent * 36.4 8
Other 9.1 percent * 9.1 2
Total Responses: 22

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