New & Expanded Pipeline Systems: What it Means for First Responders & Communities
According to the United States Energy Information Administration, pipeline companies added more than 20,000 miles of new natural gas transmission lines in the United States between 1998 and 2008.
New drilling techniques provide access to previously impenetrable natural gas fields expanding domestic gas production and reducing dependency on foreign energy. As natural gas is harvested from new areas, pipeline infrastructure is required to transport the gas from wells to processing facilities, homes and businesses.
An interstate natural gas pipeline construction or expansion project is, on average, a three-year project from the time the project is announced until gas begins flowing through the new line.
Safety is the key focus during and after construction. Companies adhere to specific design and construction procedures outlined in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard (ASME B31.8) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations 49 CFR Part 192.
Once construction is complete, pipeline operators, like Kinder Morgan, monitor their pipeline systems 24-hours a day and follow regular maintenance procedures. In addition, operators regularly meet with local emergency response officials and provide emergency preparedness information regarding their pipelines in the community.
As pipeline infrastructure expands, it is important for first responders to know where pipelines are located in their jurisdiction. The National Pipeline Mapping System is a free online resource managed by the federal government that provides maps of transmission pipelines. Pipeline operators are required to submit pipeline location data on an annual basis. To search for pipelines in your area, or to download GIS maps, visit http://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/. |
