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Results from those who said they had been effected by an incident, had read about incidents, or had a pipeline near
where they lived or work
Download a pdf of these results

1) What is the main reason you have an interest in pipeline safety?

        Percentage   Responses
There is a pipeline on my property or someone's property I care about 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
There is a pipeline proposed in my area 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I work for the pipeline industry 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
I have been affected by a pipeline accident or leak 17.4 percent * 17.4 8
I help regulate some aspect of pipelines 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
There is a pipeline near where I or someone I care about lives or works 65.2 percent * 65.2/td> 30
I have read about pipeline accidents 17.4 percent * 17.4 8
Other 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
    Total Responses:   46

2) Do you believe that pipelines are safer than other methods (tanker trucks, trains, barges, ocean going tankers) of transporting fuels?

        Percentage   Responses
Yes 54.3 percent * 54.3 25
No 10.9 percent * 10.9 5
I don't know enough to say 30.4 percent * 30.4 14
Other 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
    Total Responses:   46

3) What effect do you believe a transmission pipeline on your property could have on your property's value?

        Percentage   Responses
Increase Value 0 percent * 0 0
Decrease Value 84.8 percent * 84.8 39
No effect on Value 10.9 percent * 10.9 5
Other 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
    Total Responses:   46

4) Please rank the following reasons for pipeline safety programs, regulations, and maintenance

  1
Least
Important
2 3 4 5
Most
Important
Responses Average
Score
Ensure our pipeline system delivers the needed products without costly economic disruptions 3
(6.52%)
4
(8.89%)
15
(33.33%)
8
(17.78%)
13
(28.89%)
45 13
(28.89%)
Protect property values by reducing noises, vibrations, or visual impacts of pipelines and pump stations 4
(8.89%)
6
(13.33%)
6
(13.33%)
12
(26.67%)
17
(37.78%)
45 3.71 / 5
(74.20%)
Protect people from death, injuries, and long term health effects from leaks, explosions, ruptures, and fires 1
(2.22%)
0
(0.00%)
1
(2.22%)
0
(0.00%)
43
(95.56%)
45 4.87 / 5
(97.40%)
Protect natural resources (fish, wildlife, drinking water, forests, etc) from leaks, releases and disturbances 0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
6
(13.33%)
13
(28.89%)
26
(57.78%)
45 4.44 / 5
(88.80%)
Protect private and public property from damage from pipeline failures or maintenance activities 1
(2.22%)
4
(8.89%)
6
(13.33%)
12
(26.67%)
22
(48.89%)
45 4.11 / 5
(82.20%)
              4.11 / 5
(82.28%)

5) Which of the following do you think is the major cause of transmission pipeline ruptures and leaks?

        Percentage   Responses
The age of the pipeline 8.9 percent * 8.9 4
Someone (homeowner, contractor, excavator, landscaper, etc) accidentally damaging the pipeline by digging 35.6 percent * 35.6 16
Mistake in the operation of the pipeline 0.0 percent * 0.0 0
Not maintaining the pipeline adequately 40.0 percent * 40.0 18
Faulty pipe or equipment installed 4.4 percent * 4.4 2
Terrorism 0 percent * 0.0 0
Other 11.1 percent * 11.1 5
    Total Responses:   45

6) If a pipeline company wanted to provide you and your community with important information regarding their pipeline, such as where the pipeline is, what it carries, how to recognize a leak, or what to do in an emergency, what do you think would be the best way to get that information to people?

        Percentage   Responses
Send it in the mail 27.4 percent * 27.4 20
Get the local paper to write a story about pipelines 17.8 percent * 17.8 13
Send someone door to door to talk with people 9.6 percent * 9.6 7
Hang an information packet on my door 17.8 percent * 17.8 13
Invite me to a community meeting about it 15.1 percent * 15.1 11
Use catchy radio or TV ads 6.8 percent * 6.8 5
Other 5.5 percent * 5.5 4
    Total Responses:   72

7) If workers for a utility company (water, telephone, gas pipeline, etc) that owned an easement or right-of-way on your property had to come on your property to work on their utility how would you like to be notified that they were coming?

  1
would
not like
2 3 4 5 6
Most
preferred
method
Responses Average
Score
Letter in the mail 4
(10.00%)
4
(10.00%)
8
(20.00%)
6
(15.00%)
5
(12.50%)
13
(32.50%)
40 4.08 / 6
(68.00%)
Call on the phone and leave a message 8
(20.51%)
7
(17.95%)
5
(12.82%)
5
(12.82%)
7
(17.95%)
7
(17.95%)
39 3.44 / 6
(57.33%)
Call on the phone until they talk to me personally 4
(10.26%)
2
(4.88%)
8
(19.51%)
6
(14.63%)
5
(12.20%)
16
(39.02%)
41 4.32 / 6
(72.00%)
Send me an email 11
(26.19%)
9
(21.43%)
5
(11.90%)
5
(11.90%)
4
(9.52%)
8
(19.05%)
42 3.14 / 6
(52.33%)
Come to my door and talk to me personally 5
(11.63%)
1
(2.33%)
8
(18.60%)
8
(18.60%)
6
(13.95%)
15
(34.88%)
43 4.26 / 6
(71.00%)
Leave a notice on my door 8
(18.60%)
2
(4.65%)
7
(16.28%)
7
(16.28%)
12
(27.91%)
7
(16.28%)
43 3.79 / 6
(63.17%)
No notice required - Just do the work 32
(86.49%)
2
(5.41%)
1
(2.70%)
2
(5.41%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
37 1.27 / 6
(21.17%)
6
(66.67%)
1
(11.11%)
0
(0.00%)
1
(11.11%)
0
(0.00%)
1
(11.11%)
9 2.00 / 6
(33.33%)
                3.46 / 6
(57.68%)

8) If you attended a town meeting in your area to hear about the safety of a local pipeline, or a proposed pipeline project, how much would you trust the information if it was provided by the following people?

  1
would
not trust
2 3 4 5 6
Trust
totally
Responses Average
Score
Federal, State, or Provincial Pipeline
Regulator
5
(11.11%)
6
(13.33%)
11
(24.44%)
11
(24.44%)
11
(24.44%)
1
(2.22%)
45 3.44 / 6
(57.33%)
Pipeline Company Employee 13
(28.89%)
8
(17.78%)
7
(15.56%)
11
(24.44%)
5
(11.11%)
1
(2.22%)
45 2.78 / 6
(46.33%)
Technical consultant hired by the local government 4
(8.89%)
7
(15.56%)
10
(22.22%)
8
(17.78%)
14
(31.11%)
2
(4.44%)
45 3.60 / 6
(60.00%)
Non-profit Pipeline Safety Advocate 0
(0.00%)
1
(2.22%)
2
(4.44%)
14
(31.11%)
18
(40.00%)
10
(22.22%)
45 4.76 / 6
(79.33%)
Local Fire Chief or Emergency Responder 1
(2.22%)
5
(11.11%)
7
(15.56%)
10
(22.22%)
14
(31.11%)
8
(17.78%)
45 4.22 / 6
(70.33%)
Environmental / Community Group 5
(11.36%)
4
(9.09%)
11
(25.00%)
12
(27.27%)
8
(18.18%)
4
(9.09%)
44 3.59 / 6
(59.83%)
A group made up of a mix of the above 1 (2.22%) 1
(2.22%)
3
(6.67%)
13
(28.89%)
14
(31.11%)
13
(28.89%)
45 4.71 / 6
(78.50%)
                3.87 / 6
(64.54%)

9) I would feel comfortable living next to a large transmission pipeline

        Percentage   Responses
True 17.8 percent * 17.8 8
False 82.2 percent * 82.2 37
    Total Responses:   45

10) How close to a high pressure natural gas transmission pipeline would you feel comfortable living?

        Percentage   Responses
At least 50 feet away 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
At least 1500 feet away 28.3 percent * 28.3 13
I don't know enough about pipelines to answer 26.1 percent * 26.1 12
Other 41.3 percent * 41.3 19
    Total Responses:   46

11) How close to a large diameter high pressure liquid (oil, gasoline, jet fuel) pipeline would you feel comfortable living?

        Percentage   Responses
At least 50 feet away 4.3 percent * 4.3 2
At least 1500 feet away 26.1 percent * 26.1 12
I don't know enough about pipelines to answer 28.3 percent * 28.3 13
Other 41.3 percent * 41.3 19
    Total Responses:   46

12) Would any of the following items effect your comfort level of living near or purchasing property near a high pressure natural gas transmission pipeline? (choose all that apply)

        Percentage   Responses
I don't know enough about pipelines to answer 8.5 percent * 8.5 8
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 30.9 percent * 30.9 29
Who is operating the pipeline 21.3 percent * 21.3 20
The terrain and surrounding structures 19.1 percent * 19.1 18
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 13.8 percent * 13.8 13
Other 6.4 percent * 6.4 6
    Total Responses:   64

13) Would any of the following items effect your comfort level of living near or purchasing property near a high pressure liquid (oil, gasoline, jet fuel) pipeline? (choose all that apply)

        Percentage   Responses
I don't know enough about pipelines to answer 7.4 percent * 7.4 7
The size and operating pressure of the pipeline 32.6 percent * 32.6 31
Who is operating the pipeline 21.1 percent * 21.1 20
The terrain and surrounding structures 21.1 percent * 21.1 20
What my house is made of and its orientation to the pipeline 12.6 percent * 12.6 12
Other 5.3 percent * 5.3 5
    Total Responses:   102

14) Please rate the importance of the following pipeline safety improvement options

  1
Least
important
2 3 4 5 6 7
Most
important
Responses Average
Score
Better and more frequent government
inspections
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
7
(15.56%)
8
(17.78%)
7
(15.56%)
8
(17.78%)
15
(33.33%)
45 5.36 / 7
(76.57%)
Getting states and provinces to enforce the
"call before you dig" laws
0
(0.00%)
1
(2.27%)
3
(6.82%)
1
(2.27%)
7
(15.91%)
9
(20.45%)
23
(52.27%)
44 6.02 / 7
(86.00%)
Stricter pipeline safety regulations 0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
2
(4.55%)
5
(11.36%)
8
(18.18%)
6
(13.64%)
23
(52.27%)
44 5.98 / 7
(85.43%)
Making information about specific pipelines
available to the public
0
(0.00%)
1
(2.27%)
3
(6.82%)
10
(22.73%)
6
(13.64%)
9
(20.45%)
15
(34.09%)
44 5.45 / 7
(77.86%)
Increasing fines for pipeline failures 1
(2.22%)
2
(4.44%)
2
(4.44%)
7
(15.56%)
7
(15.56%)
8
(17.78%)
18
(40.00%)
45 5.51 / 7
(78.71%)
Better pipeline assessments and
maintenance by pipeline companies
1
(2.22%)
0
(0.00%)
1
(2.22%)
2
(4.44%)
3
(6.67%)
9
(20.00%)
29
(64.44%)
45 6.31 / 7
(90.14%)
                  5.77 / 7
(82.45%)

15) Please answer this question only if you have a pipeline on or near your property. Which of the following pipeline right-of-way activities have you ever found annoying?

        Percentage   Responses
The Pipeline company mowing the right-of-way 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
The pipeline company clearing and side trimming trees and brush along the right-of-way
 
13.8 percent * 13.8 4
Noise from the pipeline company patrolling the right-of-way in an airplane 6.9 percent * 6.9 2
The pipeline company putting signs along the right-of-way 3.4 percent * 3.4 1
Pipeline workers working along the right-of-way 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
People using the right-of-way for riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc
 
34.5 percent * 34.5 10
Pipeline workers using equipment on the right-of-way without advance notification 17.2 percent * 17.2 5
Other 10.3 percent * 10.3 3
    Total Responses:   29
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