News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 13, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces proposals to make fuel pipelines safer

BELLEVUE - In announcing his proposal to improve the safety of fuel pipelines in Washington, Gov. Gary Locke today called for a greater state role in interstate pipeline inspection and enforcement efforts, which have traditionally been the federal government's responsibility.

Under the current federal Pipeline Safety Act, states have no enforcement power over interstate pipelines within their boundaries. Additionally, the federal Office of Pipeline Safety has a policy against allowing any additional states (California, Arizona, Minnesota and New York were granted authority in the past), including Washington, to even inspect interstate pipelines. Locke today announced that he will seek a change in the current federal inspection and enforcement rules.

"First, we need to get the authority from the federal government to inspect interstate pipelines and set tougher standards at the state level," Locke said. "Then we need the power to enforce those standards. I want to do everything in my power to make sure the tragedy that occurred in Bellingham last June is never repeated."

On June 10, 1999, hundreds of thousands of gallons of gasoline began leaking from an interstate pipeline carrying fuel through Bellingham's Whatcom Falls Park. The spilled fuel ignited, and three young people were killed. The enormous explosion also destroyed a mile-and a- half stretch of the banks of Whatcom Creek.

"We owe it to the memory of those young people to pay attention to the lesson we learned," Locke said. "We will never have a risk-free society. If we are going to move petroleum and natural gas, there will always be risk. But we must do everything in our power to minimize the risk."

After visiting the scene of the accident and meeting with local residents, the governor established a Fuel Accident Prevention and Response Team to evaluate the current systems for pipeline regulation and response in Washington, and to recommend improvements. Based on the recommendations, Locke today proposed the expenditure of $345,000 to:

- Establish a Pipeline Safety Improvement position and other support at the state Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). This person would work with Washington's congressional delegation and the Clinton Administration to improve the federal Pipeline Safety Act by increasing the states' role in regulating interstate pipelines. This person will also coordinate pipeline safety efforts among state agencies.

- Allow the State Fire Marshal, working with cities and counties, to determine equipment needs for pipeline accident response and to develop a training curriculum for police, fire and emergency medical personnel.

- Develop a plan to create a state Office of Pipeline Safety once Congress or the federal Office of Pipeline Safety has authorized new state authority.

- Strengthen the Department of Ecology's ability to work with pipeline companies on prevention planning and spill preparedness to improve protection of waters.

- Direct the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to work with the Legislature to change the way decisions are made in siting new pipelines and energy facilities.

Additionally, the governor said he would:

- Contact pipeline operators and ask them to make voluntary improvements, such as planning for emergency response, conducting regular preparedness exercises and providing local stockpiles of necessary equipment.

- Ask the Washington Utility Coordinating Council, a voluntary organization of contractors, utilities, and local governments, to work with the UTC and the public to re-examine the state's "Call-Before-You-Dig" program to strengthen enforcement and improve public awareness. Pipeline damage from third-party digging is a major cause of pipeline spills.

Locke announced his pipeline safety proposal in a speech to the Washington Cities' and Counties' Pipeline Safety Forum in Bellevue today.

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