Pipeline Maps Tim Sweeney Pipeline Safety Trust Conference New Orleans November 2,

Legislative mandate Adopted in 2000 RCW Pipeline mapping system — Commission specifications and evaluations. (1) The commission shall require hazardous liquid pipeline companies, and gas pipeline companies with interstate pipelines, gas transmission pipelines, or gas pipelines operating over two hundred fifty pounds per square inch gauge, to provide accurate maps of their pipeline to specifications developed by the commission sufficient to meet the needs of first responders including installation depth information when known. (2) The commission shall evaluate the sufficiency of the maps and consolidate the maps into a statewide geographic information system. The commission shall assist local governments in obtaining hazardous liquid and gas pipeline location information and maps. The maps shall be made available to the one-number locator services as provided in chapter RCW. The mapping system shall be consistent with the United States department of transportation national pipeline mapping program. (3) The mapping system shall be completed by January 1, 2006, and periodically updated thereafter. The commission shall develop a plan for funding the geographic information system and report its recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2000.

Key directives Liquid pipelines, and gas pipelines >250 psig Meet needs of first responders Consolidate into state GIS Provide as needed to local governments Make available to one-call locator services Consistent with national mapping system Get it done by January No public records exemption

GIS Program Federal seed money Data request of companies Field verification Focus groups with first responders Early workshop with companies Distributed maps in early 2005 Public information requests start coming in

2006 legislation Make available maps 1:24000 Pipeline features kept off maps Restrict public access to GIS data Local government access maintained

OUR VIEW Legislature needs to allow basic pipeline information It's important that any terrorist who would plan to disrupt gasoline service through the Olympic gas pipeline not be able to get details that would aid in that plot. But state officials should reject plans to cut off the public's right to know about pipelines. Citizens' rights to information about pipeline locations and operations is one of the things that helps prevent another Olympic Pipe Line Co. tragedy from happening in our community. While companies have a right to be concerned about safety, so do citizens when they are looking at maps to decide whether to buy a home or a piece of property next to a pipeline corridor... (Feb. 13, 2006) Bellingham Herald Editorial

Don’t seal pipeline records For the sake of public safety, state lawmakers should reject House Bill 2350, which would hide public records noting the locations of underground pipelines, meters and valves... The oil and gas industries want to hide those records and are pushing House Bill Legislators must reject that proposal and give the Citizens Committee for Pipeline Safety time to consider this proposal and come up with legislation that balances the public’s right to know against threats of vandalism or terrorism. Driven by fear Yes, this is another piece of legislation driven by fear — fear that terrorists will use the pipelines to kill or maim Washington residents. (Feb. 13, 2006) The Olympian Editorial

Agency concerns Time-consuming public request process No legislative direction Industry concerns risk cooperation Strong public interest in access Citizens committee split Legislative fix is not easy Agency in role of deciding policy question

Awareness vs. Security Does providing ready access to pipeline location enhance or threaten pipeline safety?

Public awareness study A.More likely to strongly agree pipelines essential B.More likely to strongly believe safer than trucks & barges C.More likely to feel safer living near a pipeline D.More likely to pay attention Phone survey, August 2003 Awares = Responders who knew they live near pipeline. Unawares = Those who said they didn’t live near one.

Information/Security Three out of four surveyed said they did not get enough information about pipelines Near unanimous support (96 percent) for access to pipeline location & maps. Support drops to 75 percent when terrorists and security issues raised.

Internet access Ready when people want to receive it. Should not supplant other methods of identifying pipeline location, including calling for utility locates. Available worldwide Viewers not traceable.

Texas mapping system

Whatcom County