Pipelines And Other Bulk Methods of Transporting Natural Gas, Hydrogen Gas, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Liquified And Gaseous Carbon Dioxide

Position in Detail:

LWVPA recognizes that pipelines are a relatively safe and efficient means of transporting natural gas. We support:

  • Siting of natural gas and hydrogen pipelines through coordinated federal, state, regional, and local efforts that are objective and responsive to safety considerations, accurate environmental assessments, county conservation districts, land use planning agencies, and local communities. The process should include adequate public notice of local stakeholders from the beginning of the process, convenient input venues, timelines reflective of the PA Municipal Planning Code, consistency with existing state and local regulation, and a mediation process to resolve conflict.

  • Regulation for the safe bulk transport of the titled products via pipeline, truck, or rail that encompasses the entire transmission system, including gathering lines, with standard location data, current, comprehensive maps that are publicly accessible, on-going inspection, One Call coverage, odorization, emergency/hazard response contingencies, adequately funded maintenance plans, a reserve trust to compensate for unanticipated events, and mandated best practices to promote the integrity of the system.

  • Standardized and comprehensive inspection of all-natural gas and hydrogen pipelines by an adequate number of qualified inspectors who are continually updated in their training and employ best practices including on-site evaluations, objective information to verify self-reporting, accurate data gathered from sophisticated technological devices, and the support of local agencies such as emergency response teams and county conservation districts.

  • Enforcement of regulations for all natural gas and hydrogen pipelines that demonstrate standardization, best practices, costly penalties that encourage compliance, and fines consistent with the nature of the violation.

  • Legislation at the State level that would

  • Authorize the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) to regulate all natural gas and hydrogen pipelines for safety without providing the right of eminent domain for gathering lines, and

  • Promote the development of a regional interstate compact for siting interstate pipelines.

  • Ordinances/zoning regulations, where and when possible, for natural gas and hydrogen pipelines at the local level sited and designed to protect the public, prevent environmental degradation, and reflect community or county-wide land-use planning.

  • Measures to insulate regulatory agencies from political influences and other considerations provided by the natural gas companies that they are authorized to regulate. This would prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest and potential ethical concerns.

Adopted June 2011
Updated June 2023