National Gas Pipeline Safety Act
The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 marked the beginning of natural gas pipeline transmission regulation. Before the act, the federal government did not regulate pipeline quality and safety. In 2002, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act was enacted. This more expansive law regulated all transmissions of hydrocarbons and hazardous waste through interstate pipelines and appropriated funds for safety until 2006. The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety Act was passed in 2006. All three laws are incorporated into the current safety regulations governing natural gas pipelines.
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Enforcement
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The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 delegated government oversight for natural gas pipeline safety. The U.S. Department of Transportation handles interstate safety issues, integrity specifications and computer monitoring. States can enforce within their borders, but pipeline operators must follow the federally mandated criteria. Other agencies involved with natural gas pipeline safety include the National Transportation Safety Board for accident investigations; the National Institute of Standards for developing technical standards and safety compliance; and the Department of Energy for insight on system reliability, transport of energy supplies and surveillance technology.
Public Safety
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Natural gas is highly explosive. Transmission pipelines are built underground for transport from sources to market. These complex pipelines cross state lines, but most segments are not situated in populated areas, making monitoring easier. Minor leaks can lead to structural failures that harm the environment, and isolated pipeline segments are prime targets for terrorist attack. Both situations can lead to catastrophic explosions. For these situations, the Department of Transportation has created an agency to oversee pipeline safety, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
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Central Component
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The central component of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act is the integrity management program, which requires operators to conduct stress tests and risk assessments to check for leaks in the pipeline. Operators must provide PHMSA with semi-annual reports identifying threats to pipeline integrity. Depending on the threats, the agency directs certain repairs or inspections. The agency may also issue violations and penalties when pipeline segments fail. Most pipeline failures are caused by corrosion from natural elements; this can be prevented with vigilant risk assessment.
8-1-1 Program
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Another primary component of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Acts is the one-call notification system. Under the "Dial 8-1-1" program, overseen by PHMSA, anyone excavating land near pipelines can report digging plans in advance. Natural gas pipelines in populated centers are buried deep, but the one-call notification system enables excavators to avoid rupturing pipelines.
Effects
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The Pipeline Safety Act changed pipeline maintenance and streamlined the transport of natural gas supplies. The act identifies risks and corrects pipeline flaws, thus preventing environmental and human health risks. The most obvious benefit has been the mapping system, which is available to the public at local departments of transportation. Natural gas exploration companies also use the mapping system to locate pipeline routes to get their product to consumer markets. This process ensures continued supply while factoring transportation costs into overall production costs.
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References
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- Photo Credit gas pipeline image by Victor M. from Fotolia.com
