PA Environment Digest Blog: PUC's Pipeline Safety Program Recognized For Exemplary Standards & Impact On Residents, Businesses; State Agencies Lack Authority To Act On Pipeline Issues

On July 11, the Public Utility Commission recognized the staff and leadership of the PUC’s Pipeline Safety Division, which has received outstanding evaluations from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) – reflecting the PUC’s strong commitment to its safety mission.

“The PUC regulates over 88,000 miles of pipeline across Pennsylvania – enough to circle the Earth 3.5 times,” noted Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. “We are proud of the work of our Safety Division and the Commonwealth is fortunate to have such a dedicated team of experts who are continually working to enhance pipeline safety in our communities.”

The PUC's commitment to safety has a significant impact on residents and businesses across the Commonwealth.

The removal of cast iron and bare steel pipelines, some of the riskiest assets, enhances the integrity of Pennsylvania’s pipeline infrastructure. The increased number of inspections allows for more interaction with pipeline operators, promoting adherence to safety protocols.

Damage prevention efforts and collaboration with operators have led to a reduction in gas facility line hits. And continuous training – including mandatory federal and industry-provided courses – ensures that the pipeline staff is well-equipped to enforce new federal safety regulations and to stay abreast of new technology and changes in natural gas and pipeline industry regulations.

Safety Steps Across Pennsylvania

-- Last year the PUC's Pipeline Safety Team worked with operators to remove more than 500 miles of vintage pipeline mains, significantly reducing potential risks.

-- The Safety Division conducted 4,000 inspections in 2023, nearly 30% of which were construction-related, ensuring stringent safety standards across the state.

-- The team dedicated 281 days to investigating pipeline incidents, demonstrating a robust commitment to safety and incident prevention.

-- The PA PUC's pipeline staff undergoes rigorous training and professional development, including 25 week-long courses at the federal training center in Oklahoma City, ensuring high standards of expertise and preparedness.

-- Operators under PUC jurisdiction provide natural gas service to approximately 3 million customers in Pennsylvania.

Safety Division Scorecard

The annual monitoring of state pipeline safety programs awarded the Pennsylvania PUC Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program and the Gas Pipeline Safety Program perfect scores in multiple categories for Calendar Year 2023.

In PHMSA's Progress Report Review, both the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program and the Gas Pipeline Safety Program achieved a perfect score of 50 out of 50 points.

Additionally, in PHMSA's Program Evaluation Review, the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program received 96 out of a possible 96 points, and the Gas Pipeline Safety Program earned a flawless 100 out of 100 points.

“The PA PUC Pipeline Safety Division’s perfect scores in the 2023 PHMSA audit underscore the Commission’s dedication to maintaining the highest safety standards,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “The team’s efforts ensure the safe delivery of natural gas and hazardous liquids across Pennsylvania, protecting residents and businesses alike.”

A state agency's program performance is based on PHMSA's annual Program Evaluation and Progress Report scoring, which includes records review, data analysis, training and qualifications, procedures, performance, and field observations.

Visit the PUC’s Pipeline Safety webpage to learn more about this program.

The Whole Pipeline Picture

The Public Utility Commission does generally do a good job regulating retail distribution, intrastate and other pipelines, however, there are huge holes in the authority state agencies have to regulate pipelines generally.

There are tens of thousands of miles of natural gas pipelines the PUC by law has no jurisdiction over.

For example, a natural gas gathering pipeline slid down a hill in Westmoreland County and punched through the basement of a family’s home and no state agency had any jurisdiction to do anything about it. Read more here.

Just the headlines of the following articles give you an idea of the kinds of pipeline issues not addressed in Pennsylvania--

-- Senate Budget Hearings: PA’s Experience With New Pipeline Construction Shows State Laws Not Strong Enough To Prevent Environmental Damage, Protect Public Safety [PaEN]

-- House Committee Fails To Address $70 Million In Penalties On Natural Gas Pipelines Or Real Concerns Of People Living Near Gas Production, Distribution Facilities [PaEN]

-- How Long Must The Public Wait For Action On Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bills? [PaEN]

-- Gov. Wolf Urges General Assembly To Fill Gaps In State Regulation Of Pipelines [PaEN]

-- Natural Gas, Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Are NOT Required To Carry Insurance Or Show They Can Pay For Damages If They Explode, Leak Or Kill Someone [PaEN]

-- KDKA: Natural Gas Gathering Pipeline Crashes Into, Thru Westmoreland County Home And A Loophole In State Law That Doesn’t Regulate Gathering Pipelines For Safety [PaEN]

-- Natural Gas Pipeline Pigging Facility Malfunction Dec. 27 Released 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Natural Gas; Same Facility Plagued Community With Blowdowns 3 Times A Day, 7 Days A Week For Nearly 10 Years Until Criminal Charges Brought Against CNX [PaEN]

-- 3 Days That Shook Washington County: Natural Gas Plant Explosion; Pipeline Leak Of 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Gas; 10,000 Gallon Spill At Compressor Station [PaEN]

-- Navy Veterans Patrick & Helen Robinson Relate Their 7-Year Struggle Dealing With Impacts Of Mariner East Pipeline Construction In Indiana County, And They Continue [PaEN]

-- Cambria County Family Sues Sunoco After 3 Years Of Dealing With Damage To Home, Well, Septic System, Property From Mariner East Pipeline Construction [PaEN]

-- Spotlight PA: Little Information Made Public About Free Water Testing Ordered As Part Of Mariner East Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Settlement To Criminal Charges By Attorney General [PaEN]