For Public Officials

Millions of miles of pipelines run through and near communities, transporting our nation’s energy supplies. Public officials play an important role the safety of residents who live and work near pipelines, and can also help protect nearby pipelines by doing the following:

• Encourage everyone to call 811 before they dig, whether it’s a resident, a professional excavator or a public works employee or contractor. State laws require a one-call notification before excavating. Even though some municipalities may be exempt from one-call notification requirements, it’s an important step in protecting communities and pipelines.
• Share information on pipelines with professionals in your planning, zoning, engineering and permitting departments, and encourage them to contact pipeline operators to learn more about pipelines in or near the community. These professionals will often be the first point of contact for developers and builders, and they can help initiate early discussions to prevent future problems. Learn more about recommended practices developed by the Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance.

It's important for all public officials in communities along our pipeline rights-of-way to:

• Know where the pipelines are in your community and who operates them. You can find this information for transmission pipelines on the National Pipeline Mapping System, which is published by the U.S. government. Public and emergency officials can apply for special access to the NPMS.   
• Know how to recognize and respond to an emergency  
• Know what our company does to prevent and prepare for emergencies
• Know how we protect and maintain our pipelines
• Know how to safely develop land near pipelines in your community

Maps, markers and other resources should never be used to find the exact location of a pipeline. Always call 811 before you dig.