HomeMy WebLinkAbout3131 RESOLUTION NO. 3 I 3 I
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON IN SUPPORT OF ALLOWING STATES FLEXIBILITY TO
IMPOSE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS BEYOND THE FEDERAL
REQUIREMENTS, OF CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT HEARINGS, AND
CONGRESSIONAL STRENGTHENING OF RULES REGARDING PIPELINE
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND PUBLIC REPORTING.
WHEREAS, Bellingham, Washington, in June, 1999 experienced a
pipeline explosion and fire that tragically killed three young people, devastated
a beautiful creek in a popular city park, involved emergency response by over
400 city, state and federal personnel, disrupted water service to a significant
part of the City and caused emotional and physical damages which can never
properly be redressed; and,
WHEREAS, over 6.3 million gallons of petroleum and other hazardous
liquids are reported spilled from pipelines every year around the nation, and
since 1990 there have been at least six releases that have caused extensive
environmental damage and several that have resulted in fatalities, and,
WHEREAS, Congress eliminated the prior provision in the pipeline safety
law (49 U.S.C. 60104(c)) that allowed states to exceed the minimal federal
regulatory requirements for interstate pipelines and federal regulations do not
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December 06, 1999
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include a performance standard for pipeline leak detection nor a requirement to
protect environmentally sensitive areas: and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline
Safety has missed Congressionally mandated deadlines for a final rule on
employees safety training, has disregarded Congressional directives to define
"environmentally sensitive areas" and "high density populations areas" in order
to develop special safety rules for pipelines in those areas; and,
· WHEREAS, the Office of Pipeline Safety has rejected a number of
National Transportation Safety Board recommendations to develop rules for
periodic corrosion testing of pipelines and periodic hydrostatic tests; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of communities throughout the
country to look after their citizen's safety and welfare in this area;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Auburn finds that petroleum and natural gas pipeline safety is of immense
importance to the welfare of cities and their residents; and
1. That the Pipeline Safety Act should be amended to allow states flexibility
to impose safety requirements beyond the federal requirements;
2. That Congress should hold oversight hearings concerning the Office of
Pipeline Safety's disregard for the National Transportation Safety
Board's recommendations to develop rules for periodic testing of
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Decembgr 06, 1999
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pipelines and periodic hydrostatic tests and their disregard for
Congressional directives to define "environmentally sensitive areas" and
"high density population areas"; and
3. That Congress should strengthen rules regarding pipeline operation,
maintenance and public reporting, giving strong consideration to items
including but not limited to:
a. requiring federal certification of operator training and qualification;
b. increasing inspection requirements for pipeline corrosion;
c. requiring study and implementation of state-of-the art leak
detection systems;
d. requiring installation of effective fail safe mechanisms;
e. imposing safety standards for liquid fuel pipelines that are at least
as stringent as those for natural gas pipelines;
f. requiring pipeline operators to report to the Office of Pipeline
Safety and affected jurisdictions all spills except those spills truly
de minimis in nature;
g. requiring the Office of Pipeline Safety to work with local
emergency response providers to develop preparedness and
response plans, and providing appropriate funding support to local
jurisdictions to implement such plans;
h. requiring periodic operational audits of pipeline companies to
assure compliance with the foregoing; and
providing enhanced funding to federal agencies charged with the
oversight of pipeline safety laws and regulations.
Resolution No. 3131
December 06, 1999
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DATED and SIGNED this 6f._h day of Noventer, 1999.
CITY OF AUBURN
CHARLES A. BOOTH
MAYOR
ATTEST:
Danielle E. Daskam,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michael J. Reynolds,
City Attorney
Resolution No. 3131
December 06, 1999
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