1. Natural Gas is Moving Forward
Pipeline Safety Management Systems
Workshop
April 12-13, 2017

2. Safest Energy Delivery System in America
The natural gas industry has a long-standing record of providing natural gas service safely and effectively to more than 177 million Americans and is dedicated to the continued enhancement of pipeline safety.
AGA has several initiatives associated with Safety. Let’s start with some general safety information. As you can see from the following series of slides, which are pages from the 2017 Playbook, safety is VERY important to AGA members.

3. Safe & Reliable
Safety is the core value for the natural gas distribution and transmission industry.

4. A CULTURE OF SAFETY
“AGA and its member companies are committed to promoting positive safety cultures among their employees throughout the natural gas distribution industry. All employees, as well as contractors and suppliers providing services to AGA members, are expected to place the highest priority on employee, customer, public and pipeline safety.”
The full AGA Safety Culture Statement, developed and adopted by AGA’s Board of Directors, is available on the AGA website.
- Excerpt from AGA Safety Culture Statement

5. Enhancing Safety: A Joint Effort
AGA and its members are dedicated to the continued enhancement of pipeline safety. Safety is a joint effort, a partnership that engages customers, regulators and policymakers at every level. We are committed to proactively collaborating with federal and state regulators, public officials, emergency responders, excavators, consumers, safety advocates and the public to continue improving the industry’s longstanding record of providing natural gas service safely and effectively to more than 177 million Americans.
Natural gas utilities spend $22 billion annually to help enhance the safety of natural gas distribution and transmission systems.

6. Safely transported Across the Country
Natural gas pipelines, which transport approximately one-fourth of the energy consumed in the U.S., are an essential part of the nation’s infrastructure. Transportation by pipeline is the safest form of energy delivery in the country.

7. Regulatory Oversight
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) establishes federal safety standards for pipelines, and PHMSA partners with state pipeline safety agencies on inspections and enforcement of intrastate pipelines. Individual states can regulate intrastate pipeline systems above and beyond federal requirements, and there are hundreds of state-specific pipeline safety regulations currently in place.

8. Customer Involvement is Key
EXCAVATION DAMAGES
DOWN 50%
While the industry has multiple safeguards in place to protect its customers, it is important that customers actively participate through these methods:
Excavation damage is the leading cause of serious pipeline accidents, but progress is being made.
Reporting the smell of natural gas immediately
Calling 811 before embarking on any excavation project
Maintaining gas appliances and fuel lines
Being attentive to safety communications provided by utility

9. Peer Review
Program
AGA members are advancing the safety of the industry through a number of voluntary actions, including the AGA Peer Review Program, launched in This voluntary peer-to-peer safety and operational practices review program allows participants to receive reviews from their peers, share leading practices and identify opportunities to better serve customers and communities.

10. Working Together to Further Increase Safety
AGA’s “Commitment to Enhancing Safety” outlines the natural gas utility industry’s commitment to proactively collaborate with public officials, emergency responders, excavators, consumers, safety advocates and members of the public to continue to improve the industry’s long-standing record of providing natural gas service safely and effectively.
AGA’s Safety Alert Notification System allows AGA or its members to quickly notify other AGA members of safety issues that require immediate attention.

12. Pipeline Safety Management Systems
There are several other pages about safety in the 2017 Playbook; but I purposely chose those that had principles related to the principles or elements of pipeline safety management systems. So let’s get specific about AGA and AGA member initiatives and activities related to Pipeline Safety Management Systems.

13. Pilot Implementation Volunteers
PSMS Initiatives
Pilot Implementation Volunteers
“Roadmap” guidelines
Pilot Implementation Volunteers to publish lessons learned/summary document second quarter 2017
Workshops
March 2016
April 2017
Discussion Group Quarterly sessions
AGL Resources
Avista Corporation
CenterPoint Energy
Eversource Energy
National Grid
NiSource
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Peoples Gas and Power Company, Inc.
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
Southwest Gas Corporation
Vectren Corporation
Washington Gas Light Company

14. AGA Discussion Groups
Query other utilities on what their experiences and challenges have been in this area
Identify leading practices implemented by other utilities
Exchange operating procedures, performance indicators, or work documents
Determine which companies are ideal for additional follow-up discussions
The Pipeline Safety Management Systems Discussion Group is continuing through 2017
On the 2016 second quarter call, there were 85 companies represented. Discussion Groups have had presenters and facilitated discussions during their conference calls. Presenters have discussed implementation of pipeline safety management systems or other safety management systems. Facilitated discussions consisted of questions members asked, or issues for which they needed assistance and wanted information from other AGA members with specific members sharing information about how they addressed the issue. No official notes were provided and no recordings have been made of these calls.
The Managing Committee agreed that this group will continue through Most discussion groups last for only 1 year, this discussion group is going on 3 years. A demonstration of how important this subject is.

15. Pipeline Safety Management Systems in Technical Committee Scopes
Draft scopes of several new and existing technical committees include
“Elements of Pipeline Safety Management Systems as it pertains to _____”
Specifically included:
Field Operations
Quality Management
Included:
Supplemental Gas – Planning, design, safe practices, emergency procedures, O&M procedures
Safety and Occupational Health – Safety and health programs meant to protect employees, including vehicular safety.

16. Pipeline Safety Management Systems in Peer Review Program
Several elements from API 1173 and safety culture are included in peer review topics, whether primary topic or included in information requested.
SAFETY CULTURE
Safety culture isn’t a specific API 1173 element; but is necessary for implementation

17. Kate Miller | Director Operations and Engineering Services

18. Find Us online at aga.org or:
Presenter’s Name
Contact Information
, etc.
truebluenaturalgas.org
twitter.com/AGA_naturalgas
facebook.com/naturalgas
instagram.com/aga_natgas