News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 23, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints pipeline safety committee members, urges New Mexico support for stronger federal laws

OLYMPIA - In two major steps to improve pipeline safety, Gov. Gary Locke today appointed the members of a new Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety and urged the governor of New Mexico to join him in pressuring the federal government to strengthen federal pipeline laws.

At the same time, Locke expressed his sympathy to the relatives of the 11 people killed by a pipeline blast Aug. 19 and to the people of New Mexico in his letter to Gov. Gary E. Johnson.

Noting the June 1999 pipeline explosion in Bellingham that killed two 10-year-old boys and a young man, Locke said he had been pressing the Clinton Administration and Congress for a stronger regulatory program for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.

Locke called upon Johnson to help him push for a federal law that would give states a chance to have more responsibility for the pipelines that run through them.

As part of Washington's effort under the recently signed state law, Locke appointed nine persons representing local governments and the public to the Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety. Four non-voting members, who represent pipeline owners and operators, also were appointed to the group.

The committee, created by the Legislature, is to advise state, federal and local agencies on the construction, operation, maintenance and routing of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines.

"I'm delighted with the high caliber of those who sought positions on this committee. I was able to appoint 13 knowledgeable members with relevant backgrounds and experience," Locke said.

"With our strong emphasis on improving pipeline safety, it will be especially important to have people with different perspectives advising state agencies on their rules and operations. We are confident they will add invaluable insights and technical recommendations to our expanding pipeline safety program," Locke added.

The voting committee members are:

* Sarah Spence, Omak, construction program manager
* Don Evans, Renton, executive administrator of the Utilities Underground Location Center Operating Committee
* Harry "Jay" Follman, Sedro Woolley, assistant chief, Clear Lake Fire Department
* Susan Harper, Seattle, Fuel Safe Washington
* Richard Gilda, Bellingham, operator of a right-of-way maintenance firm
* Lee A. James, Olympia, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
* Chuck Mosher, mayor of Bellevue
* Laura L. Parsons, member of Medical Lake City Council
* Bill Hinkle, Cle Elum, Kittitas County Commissioner

The non-voting members representing the pipeline industry are:

* Alan J. Cabodi, Tacoma, McChord Pipeline Co.
* Duane Henderson, Bellevue, Puget Sound Energy
* Brad Rosewood, Pasco, Chevron Pipeline Co.
* Grant A. Jensen, Redmond, Williams Gas Pipeline

Locke has asked Mosher to chair the committee. Washington has 20,000 miles of underground pipelines that carry fossil fuels. They include 2,500 miles of interstate pipelines.

» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington