PHMSA is working with stakeholders to help communities understand pipeline risks and make risk-informed decisions related to land use planning and development around transmission pipelines.
To better understand issues related to land use planning, PHMSA, in conjunction with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), sponsored a comprehensive study of land use practices, zoning ordinances, and preservation of environmental resources on transmission pipeline rights-of-way (ROW). In an October 2004 report, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) recommended that PHMSA “develop risk-informed land use guidance for application by stakeholders.” In response, PHMSA initiated and is supporting a collaborative effort by land use planning and pipeline safety stakeholders to implement the recommendations from the TRB study.
The Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) participants represent a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including: property developers; the real estate industry; local, state, and federal government; fire marshals; the public; and the transmission pipeline industry. The PIPA participants are working in three separate Task Teams to consider and develop recommended practices related to protecting communities, protecting transmission pipelines, and communicating among stakeholders. The PIPA initiative began in January 2008 and so far has resulted in several recommended practices related to risk-informed land use planning and development adjacent to transmission pipelines. It is currently projected that these practices will be made available in the PIPA report early in 2010.
PIPA related presentations, as well as informative reference documents are available.
For more information regarding the PIPA initiative, please contact us.