• Disclosing, analyzing and minimizing impacts where it is feasible and reasonable to do so;
• Encouraging applicants to communicate with relevant federal and state natural resources agencies, Native American nations and state water quality agencies prior to submitting an application;
• Ensuring that all applicants perform the necessary studies to make an informed decision on the project;
• Issuing environmental assessments impact statement for comment on most projects;
• Requiring steps to reduce environmental impacts with any certificate issued;
• Visiting proposed project areas to determine the range of environmental issues requiring analysis and holding scoping meetings as appropriate.

For more information:

• Environmental guidelines
• Miscellaneous guidelines and reports
• Natural gas and the environment
  

Safety is Empire Pipeline’s Top Priority

For more than 100 years, safety has remained the fundamental priority for National Fuel. Public safety will continue to be a priority in the design, construction and operation of the Empire Connector. All FERC safety policies and procedures will be followed during the design and construction phases. Once the pipeline project becomes operational, safety will be regulated, monitored and enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), “pipelines have a proven record of safety over other modes of [energy] transportation,”1 such as trucks, trains and electric transmission wires. As with any form of energy transportation, there is a need to monitor and maintain pipelines and related facilities. Also, up-to-date technologies should be employed for system upgrades and expansion projects. Empire Pipeline is committed to ensuring the safe delivery of its natural gas supplies. To this end, we take a number of measures before and after our pipelines are installed.

During Construction

Safety is a top consideration even before a pipeline is operational. To begin with, the pipe itself is made of a high-strength micro-alloyed steel. The material is tested and re-tested to ensure its durability can withstand tremendous damage from potential threats including natural disasters. All welds are performed according to stringent specifications and are tested with highly sensitive imagery equipment before the pipe is placed in the ground.

During Operation

Empire’s Gas Control Center is located outside Buffalo, N.Y. There, controllers monitor system pressures, flows and customer deliveries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Real-time data collection, remote control and monitoring capabilities allow staff to detect and react to any anomalies that occur as soon as they happen. Empire also maintains a number of backup locations for gas control operations. In addition, field offices along the pipeline route house personnel prepared to respond to emergencies.

And Beyond

A vast majority of all pipeline damage is caused by third-party intrusion. Periodic aerial and ground surveillance of our pipeline right-of-way is designed to detect any activity or disturbances by third parties. Routine walking and motorized inspections are carried out on ATVs, snowmobiles and foot to look for surface erosion, atmospheric corrosion of above-ground facilities, structures that may be built too close to the pipeline’s right-of-way, trees that impede passage and other ground-level disturbances. Also, internal inspections are carried out using sophisticated tools that provide real-time information about a pipe’s integrity.

Compliance with Federal Regulations

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s standards for pipeline safety are strict. Ours are even stricter. Our continued commitment to operational safety, ongoing maintenance and monitoring, and regular inspections demonstrate that we are not only in compliance with all federal guidelines but exceed them. We are determined to maintain the safety of all residents and customers.

Much of the information regarding safety and inspections of natural gas pipelines is classified as Critical Energy Infrastructure Information (CEII). Please visit FERC's website to learn more.

Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA)

Safety is our No. 1 priority.

The companies that build and operate the North American interstate natural gas pipeline system have created the safest mode of transportation today; safer than highway, railroad, airborne or waterborne transport. The interstate natural gas pipeline industry spends millions of dollars each year on research and new technologies to improve that safety record.

Building a pipeline - process and terms

Below you will find brief descriptions of pipeline construction processes and techniques. For more information please visit INGAA’s website.

Process:

Project planning: Project planning begins with the basics of supply and demand. If there is a need for natural gas, pipeline companies conduct a market analysis to estimate the size of the market.

Design: The size of interstate pipelines vary, but in most cases a mainline, the major principal or main pipeline is designed to be between 16 to 48 inches in diameter. The Empire Connector will be 24 inches.

Public outreach:The pipeline industry involves affected communities early in the project-review process, before an application is filed.

FERC filing:To receive approval to construct and operate an interstate pipeline, the pipeline company must file a detailed project plan with FERC.

Permits:Prior to construction, a pipeline company must obtain numerous local, state and federal permits and clearances. The permits address all of our natural resources - land, air, water, vegetation and wildlife - as well as the interests of the general public. Copies of all permits and permit applications are submitted to the FERC with the project filing.

Terms:

Acquisition of rights-of-way:The acquisition of a pipeline right-of-way often raises many questions with landowners regarding routes, land usage, compensation and restoration. INGAA’s website provides useful information on these topics.

Backfilling: Once the pipe is placed in the trench, backfilling, or replacing the soil, can begin.

Clearing & grading: The survey crew carefully surveys and stakes the construction right-of-way to ensure that only the pre-approved construction workspace is cleared.

Coating: Pipe is externally coated to inhibit corrosion by preventing moisture from coming into direct contact with the steel. Normally, this is done at the mill where the pipe is manufactured or at the coating plant before it is delivered to the construction site.

Hydrostatic test: After completion of the construction steps described above, but before natural gas flows through the pipeline, the entire length of the pipeline is pressure tested using water.

Lowering-in: Lowering the welded pipe into the trench demands close coordination and skilled operators. Using a series of side-booms, operators simultaneously lift the pipe and carefully lower the welded sections into the trench.

Pipe bending: The pipe bending crew uses a bending machine to make slight curves in the pipe to account for changes in the pipeline route and to conform to the topography.

Pipeline construction: A pipeline construction project looks much like a moving assembly line. A large construction project typically is broken into manageable lengths to be constructed by a fully equipped, highly specialized qualified workgroup, called construction spreads. Each spread is composed of various crews, each with its own set of responsibilities. As one crew completes its work, the next crew moves into position to complete its piece of the construction process. A construction spread may be 20 to 100 miles in length, with the front of the spread clearing the right-of-way and the back of the spread restoring the right-of-way.

Restoration: The final step in the construction process is restoring the land as closely as possible to its original condition.

Stringing: Generally, the pipe is transported from the pipe mill to a pipe storage yard in the vicinity of the pipeline location.

Trenching: The trenching crew typically uses a wheel trencher or backhoe to dig the pipe trench.

Welding: The pipe crew and a welding crew are responsible for welding, the process that joins the various sections of pipe together into one continuous length.

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¹ U.S. Department of Transportation. (2006). Pipeline safety statistics. Retrieved on Aug. 1, 2006 from
http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/SafetyStatistics.htm.