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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 – Results from industry employees

Results from industry employees

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 100.0 percent * 100.0 57
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: 57

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

Percentage Responses
Yes 96.5 percent * 96.5 55
No 1.8 percent * 1.8 1
I don’t know enough to say 1.8 percent * 1.8 1
Other 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Total Responses: 57

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

(5.26%)

8

(14.04%)

12

(21.05%)

18

(31.58%)

16

(28.07%)

57 3.63 / 5

(72.60%)

Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 16

(28.07%)

8

(14.04%)

15

(26.32%)

9

(15.79%)

9

(15.79%)

57 2.77 / 5

(55.40%)

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

(0.00%)

1

(1.79%)

1

(1.79%)

1

(1.79%)

53

(94.64%)

56 4.89 / 5

(97.80%)

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

(0.00%)

5

(8.77%)

8

(14.04%)

24

(42.11%)

20

(35.09%)

57 4.04 / 5

(80.80%)

Protect private and public property from damage from pipeline failures or maintenance activities 2

(3.57%)

5 (8.93%) 11

(19.64%)

20

(35.71%)

18

(32.14%)

56 3.84 / 5

(76.80%)

3.83 / 5

(76.60%)

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 5.3 percent * 5.3 3
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 80.7 percent * 80.7 46
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 7.0 percent * 7.0 4
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 3.5 percent * 3.5 2
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 3.5 percent * 3.5 2
Total Responses: 57

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 30.0 percent * 30.0 27
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 11.1 percent * 11.1 10
Send someone door to door to talk with people 10.0 percent * 10.0 9
Hang an information packet on my door 10.0 percent * 10.0 9
Invite me to a community meeting about it 12.2 percent * 12.2 11
Use catchy radio or TV ads 16.7 percent * 16.7 15
Other 10.0 percent * 10.0 9
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 6

(11.76%)

2

(3.92%)

8

(15.69%)

14

(27.45%)

14

(27.45%)

7

(13.73%)

51 3.96 / 6

(66.00%)

Call on the phone and leave a message 5

(9.43%)

4

(7.55%)

10

(18.87%)

11

(20.75%)

18

(33.96%)

5

(9.43%)

53 3.91 / 6

(65.17%)

Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 6

(11.32%)

8

(15.09%)

6

(11.32%)

9

(16.98%)

12

(22.64%)

12

(22.64%)

53 3.92 / 6

(65.33%)

Send me an email 11

(21.15%)

12

(23.08%)

8

(15.38%)

9

(17.31%)

7

(13.46%)

5

(9.62%)

52 3.08 / 6

(51.33%)

Come to my door and talk to me personally 6

(11.32%)

5

(9.43%)

6

(11.32%)

5

(9.43%)

6

(11.32%)

25

(47.17%)

53 4.42 / 6

(73.67%)

Leave a notice on my door 5

(9.62%)

6

(11.54%)

10

(19.23%)

12

(23.08%)

15

(28.85%)

4

(7.69%)

52 3.73 / 6

(62.17%)

No notice required – Just do the work 33

(66.00%)

3

(6.00%)

5

(10.00%)

3

(6.00%)

3

(6.00%)

3

(6.00%)

50 1.98 / 6

(33.00%)

5

(71.43%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(14.29%)

1

(14.29%)

7 2.29 / 6

(38.17%)

3.56 / 6

(59.32%)

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

1

(1.79%)

0

(0.00%)

11

(19.64%)

10

(17.86%)

25

(44.64%)

9

(16.07%)

56 4.52 / 6

(75.33%)

Pipeline Company Employee 2

(3.57%)

3

(5.36%)

4

(7.14%)

15

(26.79%)

21

(37.50%)

11

(19.64%)

53 4.48 / 6

(74.67%)

Technical consultant hired by the local government 4

(7.27%)

7

(12.73%)

13

(23.64%)

12

(21.82%)

15

(27.27%)

4

(7.27%)

55 3.71 / 6

(61.83%)

Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 3

(5.36%)

7

(12.50%)

8

(14.29%)

13

(23.21%)

14

(25.00%)

11

(19.64%)

56 4.09 / 6

(68.17%)

Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 3

(5.36%)

4

(7.14%)

8

(14.29%)

9

(16.07%)

20

(35.71%)

12

(21.43%)

56 4.34 / 6

(72.33%)

Environmental / Community Group 14

(25.93%)

11

(20.37%)

11

(20.37%)

8

(14.81%)

8

(14.81%)

2

(3.70%)

54 2.83 / 6

(47.17%)

A group made up of a mix of the above 0

(0.00%)

2

(3.64%)

8

(14.55%)

9

(16.36%)

22

(40.00%)

14

(25.45%)

55 4.69 / 6

(78.17%)

4.10 / 6

(68.34%)

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

Percentage Responses
True 63.2 percent * 63.2 36
False 36.8 percent * 36.8 21
Total Responses: 57

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

Percentage Responses
At least 50 feet away 22.8 percent * 22.8 13
At least 1500 feet away 50.9 percent * 50.9 29
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 1.8 percent * 1.8 1
Other 24.6 percent * 24.6 14
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 17.5 percent * 17.5 10
At least 1500 feet away 50.9 percent * 50.9 29
I don’t know enough about pipelines to answer 3.5 percent * 3.5 2
Other 28.1 percent * 28.1 16
Total Responses: 57

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 0.9 percent * 0.9 1
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 35.0 percent * 35.0 41
Who is operating the pipeline 30.8 percent * 30.8 36
The terrain and surrounding structures 19.7 percent * 19.7 23
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 8.5 percent * 8.5 10
Other 5.1 percent * 5.1 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 0.8 percent * 0.8 1
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 31.7 percent * 31.7 38
Who is operating the pipeline 31.7 percent * 31.7 38
The terrain and surrounding structures 20.8 percent * 20.8 25
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 8.3 percent * 8.3 10
Other 6.7 percent * 6.7 8
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

6

(11.11%)

6

(11.11%)

6

(11.11%)

13

(24.07%)

8

(14.81%)

7

(12.96%)

8

(14.81%)

54 4.19 / 7

(59.86%)

Getting states and provinces to enforce the

“call before you dig” laws

0

(0.00%)

1

(1.79%)

0

(0.00%)

1

(1.79%)

5

(8.93%)

10

(17.86%)

39

(69.64%)

56 6.50 / 7

(92.86%)

Stricter pipeline safety regulations 5

(9.09%)

7

(12.73%)

10

(18.18%)

19

(34.55%)

4

(7.27%)

4

(7.27%)

6

(10.91%)

55 3.84 / 7

(54.86%)

Making information about specific pipelines

available to the public

3

(5.36%)

7

(12.50%)

6

(10.71%)

14

(25.00%)

9

(16.07%)

10

(17.86%)

7

(12.50%)

56 4.38 / 7

(62.57%)

Increasing fines for pipeline failures 10

(18.18%)

6

(10.91%)

9

(16.36%)

14

(25.45%)

5

(9.09%)

5

(9.09%)

6

(10.91%)

55 3.67 / 7

(52.43%)

Better pipeline assessments and

maintenance by pipeline companies

2

(3.64%)

2

(3.64%)

4

(7.27%)

8

(14.55%)

4

(7.27%)

17

(30.91%)

18

(32.73%)

55 5.42 / 7

(77.43%)

4.67 / 7

(66.75%)

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
4.8 percent * 4.8 1
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 9.5 percent * 9.5 2
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
42.9 percent * 42.9 9
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 23.8 percent * 23.8 5
Other 19.0 percent * 19.0 4
Total Responses: 21

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