LANSING – The standards for pipelines would not change substantially, but those facilities would see inspectors more often, Michigan Public Service Commission member Norm Saari told Gongwer News Service.
The Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act is headed to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it. Supporters have said the bill arose from the concerns over Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac as well as the natural gas storage leak that caused the evacuation of Porter Ranch, California.
“The Great Lakes play a central role in our state’s economy, environment, and way of life,” U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township), one of the sponsors of the bill, said in a statement announcing final actions on the bill. “We must ensure that the proper safety and oversight is in place to keep our people safe and our natural resources protected. I’m very pleased that this bill is on its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law and help safeguard against the catastrophic consequences of an oil spill in our precious waterways.”
Among the provisions of the bill is designating the Great Lakes as an Unusually Sensitive Area.
In large part, that will mean more, and more frequent, inspections of pipelines and related facilities, Saari said.
“There’s a lot of smaller pipelines that are not part of (the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s) responsibility and are not part of what the commission’s been routinely inspecting,” he said.
But he said larger lines will also see more attention.
The bill aims to protect those facilities as well by enhancing the Miss Dig program, which helps excavation contractors and property owners locate pipelines, wires and other infrastructure before digging, he said.
“Michigan’s been recognized as a leader in this whole Miss Dig third party contractor thing,” Saari said.
Saari said the state has limited jurisdiction over pipelines because most of the lines in the state have some interstate connection that puts them under the PHMSA’s jurisdiction.
Michigan could, though, be involved in some of the research projects included in the bill. A key among those, he said, is developing additional safety systems for natural gas storage areas.
Saari said natural gas, which is naturally odorless, does not currently have the familiar sulfur smell added until it enters the distribution system. The study will look at the feasibility and safety enhancements of adding the odor in the storage fields.
“We are hopeful that there are some financial resources to support the programs that are being undertaken by the Michigan commission,” Mr. Saari said of the bill.
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