Quick Start Guide Natural Gas Utilities

SECTION 03: KEY SAFETY MESSAGES

Engaging Public Officials to Protect Pipelines

Why Address This Issue? Public officials are key partners in preventing natural gas pipeline damage and promoting pipeline safety. As identified leaders in their communities, informed public officials are well positioned to further awareness of one-call system requirements and natural gas leak recognition and response. They are important players in efforts to prevent right-of-way encroachment and in determining the extent of a community’s emergency preparedness at every level. Currently, federal and state pipeline public awareness regulations mandate that natural gas utilities communicate with public officials every three years. A proposed revision to RP 1162, which is the American Petroleum Institute’s recommended best practice upon which federal and state pipeline public awareness regulations have been formed, recommends communicating with public officials every two years. However, annual communications may be justified.

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Developing a Public Safety Communications Program