1. Cities and PIPA Why Should We Participate? What Do We Need?
Betty Dunkerley
Mayor Pro Tem
Austin, Texas
Cities and PIPA Why Should We Participate? What Do We Need?

2. Why Cities? Austin is probably typical of other cities
There are 446 miles of hazardous liquids and natural gas lines in Austin’s jurisdiction
In Austin (2003) within 500’ of a hazardous liquids line 8” dia. or greater
2,600 buildings
3,200 platted lots
7000 acres
Austin has 446 miles of hazardous liquids (refined fuel, natural gas liquids) and natural gas pipelines in our jurisdiction (full purpose and ETJ).
We’ve had 3 significant accidents involving crude oil and natural gas liquids lines. All were due to development along the pipelines. Occurred in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, none since.

3. Austin Pipelines

4. Why Cities?
Cities:
Have the greatest public safety and economic impacts from accidents
Have the greatest risk of third party damage to pipelines
Are responsible for emergency response and will be in control of first response to accidents
Generally control and plan new development
Have little control over pipeline placement or operations
Cities have the highest probability of accidents, the highest consequences of accidents, and have little or no ability to regulate or otherwise control pipelines because of preemption by state and federal law.

5. Cities and PIPA
Historically, cities have been reactive, not proactive where pipelines are concerned
Emergency responders, much less policymakers, may not know where the pipelines are, what’s in them, or who operates the pipelines
Generally, an accident has to occur before a city gets informed and takes action to protect their community
Most cities only take notice of pipelines when there is an accident.
Austin was involved in a lawsuit that raised our level of awareness and resulted in enacting an ordinance to regulate development along pipelines to protect the community and the pipelines.

6. Cities and PIPA
Line location information is poor, often off by hundreds of feet or more
Operators are reluctant to share information about their operations, inspection, and maintenance
Developers aren’t aware of the implications of the presence of pipelines and fear drawing attention to pipelines on or near their property
Federal law only requires pipeline operators to submit line location with an accuracy of +/- 500’.
High land and home prices drives development up against pipeline ROW unless someone prevents it.

7. We’re hopeful PIPA can help
Cities and PIPA
To help plan for new development and manage the interface between pipelines and existing development, cities need:
Information on risk assessment and risk management
Communication and coordination between communities, operators and regulators
Historically, cities have had great difficulty getting information on pipeline operations, risk, and locations.
Cities often have little pipeline expertise and must rely on the pipeline companies and the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS). Austin has been fortunate to be able to hire an independent consultant to help us.
We’re hopeful PIPA can help