PA 2014 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

Overview

Main Objective

Under this grant award Clean Air Council will analyze pipeline technologies and practices and increase public awareness of and dialogue about which technologies should be used in proposed pipeline expansion projects. The Council will assess the performance of EPA-recommended pipeline and compressor station technologies and determine whether there are newer voluntary technologies or practices that companies and communities could use to increase safety and environmental protection. The Council will educate stakeholders (residents. local government, and specific pipeline companies) in possible improvements in technologies that could reduce environmental and public safety risks.

Public Abstract

Under the terms of this agreement. the Recipient must demonstrate completion of the work through the actions it has specified in its Application. Objective 1: Contract with an engineering firm to peijOrm a detailed engineering review of best avallabk, technologies and best management practices for natural gas transmission pipeline infrastructure that would minimize leakages and increase environmental protections.

• Activity 1: The Council will hire an engineering firm to review the EPA recommended technologies aml identifi, any new pipeline and compressor station technologies that may perform better than those in EPA 's voluntary Natural Gas Star program. Objective 2: Work with engineering department of Drexel University to study methane emissions .from both aging infrastructure and newer infrastructure equipped with EPA recommended Natural Gas Star Program technologies in order to compare methane emission rates.
• Activity 1: The Council will rent equipment for researchers from Drexel's University's Department of Civil, Architectural. and Environmental Engineering to perform methane monitoring on a portion of a transmission pipeline project in southwest Pennsylvania (Columbia's West Side Expansion Project) for possible leakages of methane and other constituents into the atmosphere. The Council and researchers will actively seek to work with the company to gain access to pipeline right of ways in order to get an accurate sample of potential leakages. Even if no access is granted, monitoring will be performed near public right of ways such as where pipelines intersect roads.
• Activity 2: Drexel researchers will also assess methane emission rates from Columbia's older gas transmission pipeline infrastructure in eastern Pennsylvania, which the company is proposing to expand in the next year or two. Data about what technologies work best would be very timely for encouraging productive dialogue during public commenting opportunities.
• Activity 3: Drexel researchers will assess the differences in safety and environmental protection benefits between the old and new infrastructure. Researchers will write a final report to highlight any potential benefits from using newer technologies. Objective 3: Share information with all stakeholders in eastern Pennsylvania near proposed pipeline upgrade projects or new pipeline projects; especially planners, local government and residents that live close to proposed pipelines to help them feel confident in entering dialogue with industry.
• Activity I: The Council will perform initial outreach to residents living close to pipeline projects and local government officials in order to listen to their concerns about pipelines, to inform them about the goals of the Council's project, and to garner future participants for educational workshops and meetings.
• Activity 2: Council outreach staff will meet with Columbia Gas Pipeline officials and other relevant indusny stakeholders to discuss the project scope and to encourage participation throughout the process.
• Activity 3: Hold several community meetings and/or online webinars to raise awareness to local government officials, planners, and residents about aging pipeline infrastructure, potential environmental impacts from pipeline projects, and potential safety risks from pipeline projects.
• Activity 4: The Council will create a report that synthesizes the engineering recommendations and methane monitoring results.
• Activity 5: Council outreach staff will hold a series of conummity meetings and/or online webinars for government officials, planners, pipeline company representatives, and residents living close to pipeline projects to discuss the project results.

Major Milestones:

• Complete preliminary stakeholder outreach (including residents. industry. local government)
• Complete engineering review of pipeline technology
• Complete methane monitoring of pipeline segment
• Complete stakeholder and outreach and education on pro/cc! results (including residents, industry, and local government).

Relevant Files & Links