The recent rupture of a natural gas trunkline in New Jersey may prompt Congress to require excavators to use "one call" programs operated by states.
In a number of states, construction crews can make one telephone call to ensure their planned excavations will not damage underground utilities.
At a Senate energy committee hearing on the New Jersey accident, several witnesses urged federal legislation that would require use of one call numbers under threat of civil penalties.
MASSACHUSETTS' EXPERIENCE
In the first year of a mandatory Massachusetts one call program, calls from contractors to the phone number doubled, damages to underground utilities dropped to 300 from 1,200, and the state collected more than $300,000 in fines from those who did not comply.
Separately, Rep. Phil Sharp (D-Ind.) announced the House energy and power subcommittee will hold hearings on the subject. He expects to press for legislation requiring one-call programs in each state.
The American Gas Association and Interstate Natural Gas Association of America used the Senate hearings to renew their endorsement of mandatory one call systems.
The two groups said, "Unfortunately, third party or outside force damage is the leading cause of natural gas pipeline accidents."
Testimony at the Senate hearing confirmed outside forces probably caused the rupture of the Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. trunkline adjacent to an Edison, N.J., apartment complex.
James Hall, a National Transportation Safety Board member, said protective coating on the 36 in. line, laid in 1961, was extensively damaged in several places by at least two excavation machines, most likely backhoes.
TEXAS EASTERN OPERATIONS
Texas Eastern was criticized mildly for taking more than 2 1/2 hr to shut off the gas. It had to summon off-duty employees to manually close valves.
George Mazanec, Texas Eastern vice-president, said his company has paid more than $2 million in cash to provide for 275 displaced families and another $3 million to partially settle claims.
The trunkline resumed operation Apr. 13 at reduced pressure of 680 psi (OGJ, Apr. 18, p. 36).
Mazanec said if the Transportation Department does not allow Texas Eastern to resume operating the line at 975 psi before next winter, the company cannot meet its delivery requirements in New Jersey New York City, and New England.
Due to the accident, Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety will inspect all 1,000 miles of gas trunk-lines in New Jersey.
And Transportation plans to call a pipeline safety summit to seek ways to minimize the risks from pipelines in densely populated areas.
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
