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Carl Weimer, Executive Director Pipeline Safety Trust 300 N. Commercial St. Suite B Bellingham, WA 98225 360-543-5686 carl@pstrust.org http://www.pstrust.org. The Pipeline Safety Trust Who we are and where we came from?.
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Carl Weimer, Executive Director Pipeline Safety Trust 300 N. Commercial St. Suite B Bellingham, WA 98225 360-543-5686 carl@pstrust.org http://www.pstrust.org
The Pipeline Safety TrustWho we are and where we came from? We are the only national non-profit public interest organization that focuses on pipeline safety issues
The Connected Path to Greater Pipeline Safety Regulators The Public & Local Government Pipeline Operators
Context for Pipeline Safety Discussions – 2011 & 2012 June 2010 two explosions in two days in Texas killing 3
Context for Pipeline Safety Discussions – 2011 & 2012 June 2010 Chevron oil spill in Salt Lake City & July 2010 Enbridge Oil Spill In Marshall, Michigan
Context for Pipeline Safety Discussions – 2011 & 2012 September 2010 PG&E Natural Gas Explosion in San Bruno, California – 8 dead
Context for Pipeline Safety Discussions – 2011 & 2012 January 2011 Philadelphia & February 2011 Allentown PA natural gas explosions – 6 dead
Context for Pipeline Safety Discussions – 2011 & 2012 July 2011 Exxon Yellowstone River Spill, Montana
With near hysteria about pipelines in some places, the public is often faced with a series of mixed messages
Surrounded by the confusion about pipeline safety Pipeline company right-of-way agents and landmen are often the most critical voice in either building public trust or destroying it
Probability vs. Consequence The industry focuses on the probability and is comfortable with the risk, the public focuses on the consequences and loses sight of the probability
While things look good over 20 years, during the time the most attention has been paid the record is more confusing
“Pipeline failures are extremely rare. When they do occur, they are most often caused by damage from someone digging near the pipeline.” From multiple Public Awareness Mailings
Yet for the majority of incidents the public reads about excavation is not the leading cause
Pipelines are the safest, most reliable and efficient manner of transporting energy products. Pipeline companies are responsible for the safety of their operations. Besides meeting federal and state safety and environmental standards, the Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety oversees and regulates pipeline system operations from the design stage of a project to construction, maintenance and operations.
“We ultimately determined the cause of the accident was a flawed pipe, flawed operation and flawed oversight. It is important to have a strong safety system, and it is not up to just the operator of the pipeline to ensure that, it is also up to the regulator. You can not place blind trust in an operator that doesn’t deserve that trust. You have got to trust but verify.” Deborah Hersman, NTSB Chairman
National Initiative on Better Planning Near Pipelines Has it trickled down to the right of way agents?
Confusion about the reality of Prescriptive vs. Performance Based regulations Limi Performance based – “Drive safely” Prescriptive – “Speed Limit 70 MPH”
Surrounded by the confusion about pipeline safety Pipeline company right-of-way agents and landmen are often the most critical voice in either building public trust or destroying it
INGAA Commitment to Landowners • Respect and Trust • Accurate and Timely Information • Negotiate in Good Faith • Respect the Regulatory Compact • Responding to Issues • Broaden Outreach • Industry Ambassadors • Ongoing Commitment to Training
Pipeline safety is a shared responsibility, But for that to succeed we need to understand each others perspectives and be accurate in our messages
Thank You! Carl Weimer, Executive Director Pipeline Safety Trust http://www.pipelinesafetytrust.org 360-543-5686 carl@pstrust.org
