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Pipeline Safety Trust

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Credible. Independent. In the public interest.
Credible. Independent. In the public interest.
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2008 Pipeline Safety Survey Results – Regulator Results

Results for: Pipeline Regulators

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 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I help regulate some aspect of pipelines 100 percent * 100.0 46
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: 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 91.3 percent * 91.3 42
No 2.2 percent * 2.2 1
I don’t know enough to say 6.5 percent * 6.5 3
Other 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
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 71.7 percent * 71.7 33
No effect on Value 8.7 percent * 8.7 4
Other 19.6 percent * 19.6 9
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%)

10

(21.74%)

10

(21.74%)

14

(30.43%)

9

(19.57%)

46 3.35 / 5

(67.00%)

Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 17

(36.96%)

8

(17.39%)

12

(26.09%)

5

(10.87%)

4

(8.70%)

46 2.37 / 5

(47.40%)

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

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.17%)

45

(97.83%)

46 4.98 / 5

(99.60%)

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

(0.00%)

3 (6.52%) 9

(19.57%)

22

(47.83%)

12

(26.09%)

46 3.93 / 5

(78.60%)

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

(0.00%)

4 (8.70%) 14

(30.43%)

13

(28.26%)

15

(32.61%)

46 3.85 / 5

(77.00%)

3.70 / 5

(73.92%)

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 66.7 percent * 66.7 30
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 2.2 percent * 2.2 1
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 15.6 percent * 15.6 7
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 2.2 percent * 2.2 1
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 4.4 percent * 4.4 2
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 17.5 percent * 17.5 11
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 12.7 percent * 12.7 8
Send someone door to door to talk with people 14.3 percent * 14.3 9
Hang an information packet on my door 19.0 percent * 19.0 12
Invite me to a community meeting about it 19.0 percent * 19.0 12
Use catchy radio or TV ads 15.9 percent * 15.9 10
Other 7.9 percent * 7.9 5
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 3

(7.32%)

9

(21.95%)

9

(21.95%)

6

(14.63%)

6

(14.63%)

8

(19.51%)

41 3.66 / 6

(61.00%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 4

(10.00%)

4

(10.00%)

5

(12.50%)

14

(35.00%)

4

(10.00%)

9

(22.50%)

40 3.93 / 6

(65.50%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 4

(10.26%)

3

(7.69%)

2

(5.13%)

6

(21.43%)

14

(35.90%)

10

(25.64%)

39 4.36 / 6

(72.67%)

Send me an email 7

(18.92%)

5

(13.51%)

9

(24.32%)

7

(18.92%)

5

(13.51%)

4

(10.81%)

37 3.37 / 6

(56.17%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 2

(4.88%)

3

(7.32%)

6

(14.63%)

4

(9.76%)

5

(12.20%)

21

(51.22%)

41 4.71 / 6

(78.50%)

Leave a notice on my door 6

(14.29%)

6

(14.29%)

6

(14.29%)

9

(21.43%)

10

(23.81%)

5

(11.90%)

42 3.62 / 6

(60.33%)

No notice required – Just do the work 24

(66.67%)

4

(11.11%)

3

(8.33%)

2

(5.56%)

2

(5.56%)

1

(2.78%)

36 1.81 / 6

(30.17%)

7

(77.78%)

1

(11.11%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(11.11%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

9 1.44 / 6

(24.00%)

3.58 / 6

(59.74%)

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

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

3

(6.52%)

5

(10.87%)

23

(50.00%)

15

(32.61%)

46 5.09 / 6

(84.83%)

Pipeline Company Employee 2

(4.44%)

7

(15.56%)

7

(15.56%)

15

(33.33%)

12

(26.67%)

2

(4.44%)

45 3.76 / 6

(62.67%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 2

(4.44%)

2

(4.44%)

7

(15.56%)

13

(28.89%)

15

(33.33%)

6

(13.33%)

45 4.22 / 6

(70.33%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 3

(6.67%)

3

(6.67%)

4

(8.89%)

14

(31.11%)

13

(28.89%)

8

(17.78%)

45 4.22 / 6

(70.33%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 0

(0.00%)

2

(4.55%)

4

(9.09%)

7

(15.91%)

21

(47.73%)

10

(22.73%)

29 4.21 / 6

(70.17%)

Environmental / Community Group 3

(6.67%)

11

(24.44%)

12

(26.67%)

11

(24.44%)

6

(13.33%)

2

(4.44%)

45 3.27 / 6

(54.50%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 2

(4.65%)

0

(0.00%)

5

(11.63%)

6

(13.95%)

21

(48.84%)

9

(20.93%)

43 4.65 / 6

(77.50%)

4.28 / 6

(71.31%)

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

Percentage Responses
True 46.7 percent * 46.7 21
False 53.3 percent * 53.3 24
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 58.7 percent * 58.7 27
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 37.0 percent * 37.0 17
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 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
At least 1500 feet away 58.7 percent * 58.7 27
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 37.0 percent * 37.0 17
Total Responses: 43

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 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 37.9 percent * 37.9 39
Who is operating the pipeline 27.2 percent * 27.2 28
The terrain and surrounding structures 22.3 percent * 22.3 23
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 10.7 percent * 10.7 11
Other 1.9 percent * 1.9 2
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 1.0 percent * 1.0 1
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 35.3 percent * 35.3 36
Who is operating the pipeline 28.4 percent * 28.4 29
The terrain and surrounding structures 25.5 percent * 25.5 26
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 8.8 percent * 8.8 9
Other 1.0 percent * 1.0 1
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%)

2

(4.55%)

3

(6.82%)

4

(9.09%)

9

(20.45%)

12

(27.27%)

14

(31.82%)

44 5.55 / 7

(79.29%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.17%)

0

(0.00%)

2

(4.35%)

5

(10.87%)

10

(21.74%)

28

(60.87%)

46 6.33 / 7

(90.43%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 1

(2.38%)

3

(7.14%)

3

(7.14%)

7

(16.67%)

10

(23.81%)

10

(23.81%)

8

(19.05%)

42 5.00 / 7

(71.43%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

2

(4.65%)

9

(20.93%)

7

(16.28%)

5

(11.63%)

9

(20.93%)

5

(11.63%)

6

(13.95%)

43 4.14 / 7

(59.14%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 2

(4.55%)

4

(9.09%)

5

(11.36%)

5

(11.36%)

10

(22.73%)

11

(25.00%)

7

(15.91%)

44 4.77 / 7

(68.14%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(2.33%)

1

(2.33%)

12

(27.91%)

10

(23.26%)

19

(44.19%)

43 6.05 / 7

(86.43%)

5.32 / 7

(75.98%)

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 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc
44.4 percent * 44.4 4
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 11.1 percent * 11.1 1
Other 44.4 percent * 44.4 4
Total Responses: 46

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