Pipeline safety advocate wants more transparency with data

Indiana and Illinois are among states that need to do a better job of providing information to the public to evaluate the safety of pipelines in their area, according to results from a study released Monday from a watchdog organization.

The Bellingham, Wash.-based Pipeline Safety Trust evaluated the websites of regulatory agencies from 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The group rated agencies from states and the federal government based on the availability of eight types of information, including contacts for agency staff and pipeline companies, safety regulations and incident data.

The Pipeline Safety Trust said only eight states and the federal regulator provided at least half of the information sought online. On a scale of 0 to 3, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration scored a 2.6, which was the highest in the transparency survey.

Indiana had a score of 1 and Illinois had a score of 0.75, which was near the middle of the pack. The study said both states didn't make the following information readily available: incident data, inspection records, pipeline transmission maps and excavation damage data. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the state's pipeline regulator, also was missing information specifically on enforcement actions that it has taken. 

Scrutiny over pipelines is at an elevated level as a result of large spills in recent years and concerns from environmental groups on new proposed pipeline routes. There are nearly 20 companies that operate pipelines that transmit products ranging from natural gas liquids to crude oil to hydrogen.

"We believe that the public has a right to know about the pipelines that run through their communities and what pipeline safety agencies are doing to ensure they are operated safely," said Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust. "Only when state pipeline safety agencies provide clear evidence that they are on top of these safety issues will trust in pipeline safety be rebuilt."