Purpose

The purpose of the program is to provide general pipeline safety information to Public Officials. The message will include: awareness of hazards associated with pipeline facilities, what types of emergencies may occur on pipeline facilities, how to obtain information about the location of pipeline facilities (maps), general one call requirements, and how to contact pipeline companies for additional information.

Scope

The program is directed toward local, city, county or state officials and/or their staffs having land use and street/road jurisdiction in areas where pipelines are located. Public Officials will be identified through commercially available data sources (InfoUSA) and include:

• Planning boards
• Zoning board
• Licensing departments
• Permitting departments
• Building code enforcement departments
• City and county managers
• Public and government officials
• Public utility boards
• Includes local Governing Councils as defined by many communities
• Public officials who manage franchise or License agreements

Program Elements

The elements in the program will be the newsletter - Pipeline Awareness with additional information available on the web site. The mailing is scheduled for early September.

Message Content

The basic message will include:

• Awareness of hazards and prevention measures undertaken
• Emergency preparedness communications
• Land use practices associated with the pipeline ROW that may affect community safety
• General One-call requirements
• Pipeline location information and availability of NPMS
• How to get additional information about public safety issues, additional overview information on Integrity Management Programs to protect High Consequence Areas under their jurisdiction, land use practices, emergency preparedness, or other matters.

Program Evaluations

An evaluation of program effectiveness will be performed every three years. The initial baseline evaluation of effectiveness was performed in 2007. The next evaluation is scheduled to be performed in 2010.

Documentation

All program documentation will be available from the website, including: identity of participating members, lists of Public Officials, mail piece, and any survey results or feedback.

Dues

The base dues for participation in the program are $100 per member/county. This fee will be reduced in states where participation levels are sufficient to create cost sharing. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota are states where participation levels have been sufficient to warrant a reduction in dues. Final dues will be established in early February when all participation levels are known. Members will be invoiced by mid February.

Sign up

Companies may sign up by sending an email to info@pipelineawareness.org indicating the states and counties they wish to register. The deadline for signing up to participate in the program is February 1.