Transcript STATE EFFORTS IN DAMAGE PREVENTION

STATE EFFORTS
IN
DAMAGE PREVENTION
James Mergist
New Orleans, LA
November 20, 2008
Who is NAPSR
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Non-profit organization
Governed by Board of Directors
Members: State pipeline safety directors,
managers, inspectors, technical personnel
Has 52 state agencies as members, including
DC & PR, except HI & AK
Mission:
To strengthen states’ pipeline safety programs through
promotion of improved pipeline safety standards,
education, training & technology
Outline
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Background
– Enabling Laws
– Current situation
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Goals
Enabling Laws
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TEA 21): One-Call Notification (1998)
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PIPES Act (2006):
– 9 elements (from DIMP Phase 1)
– State Damage Prevention (SDP) Grant
– Call 911
State Agencies Involved
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State Commission Pipeline Safety
Programs
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State One-Call centers
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Law enforcement
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Governor’s Office
State Stats on Laws
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All have a law
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45 can assess civil penalties
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42 have hand dig clause
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36 require Positive Response
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28 allow exemptions from One-Call laws
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9 require damage reporting
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Some have more than one One-Call center
State Stats on Laws
Biggest Need:
Fair and effective enforcement
Pipeline Safety Program
Efforts / Goals
Main Goal: Excavation Damage Prevention
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State Participation in CGA
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Promoting One-Call
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Input into EDPI (DPAP)
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Changes in State laws
State participation in CGA
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Each State has 2 members on the CGA
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2 NAPSR members on every committee
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Encouraging operator submission to
DIRT
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Downloading state databases to DIRT
Promoting One-Call in the State
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Promoting use of call before-you-dig
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Working closely with One-Call centers
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Encouraging use of nationwide no. (811)
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Requiring every stakeholder to participate
Input Into EDPI (DPAP)
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Excavation Damage Prevention
Initiative (EDPI)
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Damage Prevention Assistance
Program (DPAP)
Changes in State Laws
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Develop a plan
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Overcome resistance
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Require all stakeholders to come to
the table