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In This Issue

  1. RCP Continues to Add More Firepower to its Staff
  2. DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 10-12, 2011
  3. DOT Pipeline Safety Awareness Website
  4. Public Awareness Effectiveness Program Inspections
  5. Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Report
  6. MAOP Analysis Services
  7. Public Webinars on Implementation of Distribution Integrity Management Programs
  8. PHMSA Reporting Webinars for Gas Pipelines
  9. PHMSA Publishes Updated Inspection Protocols
  10. AGA Ops Conference & Biennial Exhibit May 24 -27 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN
  11. PHMSA Technology Transfer Workshop June 23 – Columbus, OH

Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Report

On December 16, 2010, the U. S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Report, “Partnering to Further Enhance Pipeline Safety In Communities Through Risk-Informed Land Use Planning.”” The PIPA Report was developed by a structured group of representatives from local governments, public stakeholders, transmission pipeline operators, and pipeline safety regulators. It is the first set of national safety recommendations for developing areas near existing pipelines.

The goal of this report and the PIPA initiative is to reduce risks and improve the safety of affected communities and transmission pipelines by improving the way communities plan land use and new development near transmission pipelines. To achieve this goal, PHMSA and PIPA encourage the adoption and implementation of PIPA-developed recommended practices related to risk-informed land use planning near transmission pipelines.

Key stakeholders have been encouraged to become aware of, adopt, and implement the PIPA recommended practices. Local governments, property developers/owners, transmission pipeline operators, and state real estate commissions are identified as the key stakeholders having roles to enhance pipeline safety and ensure the protection of people, the environment and the pipeline infrastructure.

The participating PIPA stakeholders include: the Pipeline Safety Trust, Common Ground Alliance, National Association of Home Builders, National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Counties, National Association of County Planners, American Land Title Association, National Association of Realtors, American Public Works Association, and others. They join longtime pipeline safety organizations: PHMSA, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Also central to the PIPA initiative are pipeline operators, represented by: American Gas Association, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Association of Oil Pipelines, American Petroleum Institute, American Public Gas Association, and Gas Producers Association.

For more information, to see all of the PIPA Recommended Practices, and to see and download the entire PIPA Report, go to www.pipelineinformedplanning.com.