State of Natural Gas Pipelines in Fort Worth

Transcription

1 State of Natural Gas Pipelines in Fort Worth Presented by Planning and Development Department January 4, 2011

2 Purpose Review the Pipeline Safety Study Commissioned by the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods Review Major Findings and Recommendations of the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance study Partnering to Further Enhance Pipeline Safety in Communities Through Risk-Informed Land Use Planning commissioned by the USDOT Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety Review current practice and policy Make recommendations based on these studies for council consideration 2

3 Texas Utility Code Municipal and County Authority. A municipality or a county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance that establishes a safety standard or practices applicable to a facility that is regulated under this subchapter, another state law, or a federal law. Texas Utilities Code Subtitle B. Regulation of Transportation and Use Chapter 121. Gas Pipelines 3

4 Municipal Authority this subchapter does not reduce, limit, or impair: the ability of a municipality to adopt an ordinance that establishes conditions for mapping, inventorying, locating, or relocating pipelines over, under, along, or across a public street or alley or private residential area in the boundaries of the municipality Texas Utilities Code Subtitle B. Regulation of Transportation and Use Chapter 121. Gas Pipelines 4

5 Summary of Local Jurisdiction Private Residential Areas Roadway/Utility (Easement) Crossings City fee owned properties Tax Foreclosed Properties 5

6 City Regulation 2009 Gas Drilling Ordinance Created Gas Drilling Review Committee for review of gas wells within 600 of a protected use, non-commercial truck routes and gas pipelines through private residential areas. 6

7 Gas Drilling Review Committee Pipeline Review Individual Notices only sent to Private Residential Area property owners along the pipeline route General Posting notice provided to route segments where a proposed pipeline traverses any other use (e.g. industrial, commercial, etc ) Process encourages pipeline operators to avoid private residential areas Minutes and exhibits from Gas Drilling Review Committee meetings are posted on the City s web site 7

8 Private Residential Area Private Residential Area Property that is either zoned and used as residential or vacant property that is zoned residential and adjacent to residentially zoned and used property. 8

9 Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods Association (FWLNA) Recommendations 9

10 Pipelines in Populated Areas FWLNA Proposal Use the powers granted to ensure pipelines are routed through the least populated areas. Ensure that adequate public discussion of pipeline route selection is included before siting approval is granted. Current Practice The City regulates Private Residential Areas, street crossings and City owned or controlled properties. Pipeline operators are challenged in Gas Drilling Review Committee to demonstrate that feasible alternative routes have been examined when routes through residential areas are proposed. The Gas Drilling Review Committee reviews application through Private Residential Areas. 10

11 Public Review Staff Recommendation Review the proposed Notice Area for review of gas pipelines in residential areas by the Gas Drilling Review Committee extended to include all Private Residences and Neighborhood Associations within an adopted consultation zone of the proposed pipeline. Proposed Pipeline Consultation Zone Notice Area 11

12 Pipelines Informed Planning Alliance Best Practices FWLNA Proposal Schedule a City Council work session on the final Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) report when it is released At a minimum they should adopt the Consultation Zone process into City Code Current Practice Final Report approved in November and released in December. Several practices contained in the report such as One-Call and mapping are in use by the City. Consultation Zone not currently in place. 12

13 Pipelines Informed Planning Alliance Best Practices 17 Baseline Practices to plan for future land development. 26 New Development Practices for new land use and development proposals. Applicable stakeholders identified (e.g. local government, developer, pipeline operator). 29 total Practices apply to local government. 13

14 Consultation Zone Area of land adjacent to gas pipelines where developers would be required to consult with pipeline operators to determine pipe diameter, maximum operating pressure, and potential impact radius that may impact development. 14

15 Pipelines in Populated Areas Staff Recommendation Review the implementation of a Consultation Zone for future development based on the formula proposed in the PIPA study Appendix I which increases the size of the zone based on pipe size and the maximum operating pressure of the pipe. PIPA recommends from 59 to 1084 for gas pipelines. Existing Pipeline Consultation Zone 15

16 Pipelines Informed Planning Alliance Staff Recommendation Best Practices City should develop a best practices guideline for use by developers developing near gas pipelines using the PIPA report as the standard. The guide should encourage developers to consult with the pipeline operator when a pipeline is within an adopted consultation zone and to consider best practices in the development. 16

17 Best Practices Example Source: Pipelines & Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Final Report Appendices Draft for Stakeholder Review 17

18 One Call System FWLNA Proposal Review employee training regarding damage prevention to ensure One Call system is being used. Current Practice City departments require One Call locates prior to excavation in compliance with state law. City contractors are also contractually bound to use One Call prior to work. Information pamphlets are available in customer service areas to make local contractors aware of the One Call system. Staff Recommendation Staff review training protocols to insure One Call system is being used effectively by City Staff and Contractors. 18

19 Pipeline Route and Data FWLNA Proposal Make pipeline permit information publicly available online, and ensure that the maximum allowable operating pressure, pipe diameter and potential impact radius distances are provided before approval Make all permitted routes available online. Current Practice Pipelines routes considered by the Gas Drilling Review Committee are posted on the City s Web Site. Technical data is not provided. Staff Recommendation All pipeline alignments posted on the Web on a monthly basis with an associated fact sheet. 19

20 Summary Continue aggressive State and Federal legislative program supporting pipeline safety initiatives. Increased regulatory oversight Adequate resources Redefine Notice Area for pipelines required to go before Gas Drilling Review Committee. 20

21 Summary Posting of pipeline routes online prior to approval with pipeline data/fact sheet Review and Develop Best Practices guide, including evaluation of a consultation zone, from PIPA and other resources for development around pipelines and make information available to citizens and the development community 21