Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District
Issues
Pipeline Safety
Statistics on Pipeline Accidents in the U.S.
Pipeline characteristics:
- 2 million miles of oil and gas pipelines in the US
Spills and Accidents:
- 3,923 reported oil and gas pipeline releases from 1990-1999 (more than one per day)
- Over 62 million gallons of oil were spilled from 1990-1999. This number represents about half of the incidents reported and about 10 percent of total pipeline mileage.
Deaths and Injuries:
- 201 deaths caused by oil and gas pipeline releases from 1990-1999
- 42 people killed by natural gas accidents between 1986 and June 30, 2000
- 2,829 injuries causes by oil and gas pipeline release from 1990-1999
Other Damages:
- Major oil and gas pipeline accidents that cause death, injury or property damage greater than $50,000 occur approximately four times per week.
Costs Associated with Damages:
- $780 million assessed in property damages from oil and gas pipeline releases from 1990-1999
Penalties Assessed:
- Only $336,000 of OPS’s proposed $4.82 million in civil penalties for pipeline rule violations has been collected.
- There have been no collected civil penalties for 1996, 1997 or 1998 proposed amounts, which are, respectively, $500, 000; $500,000; and $532,000.
Safety Precautions and Inspections:
- In 1996, there were a total of 40 inspectors (includes state liaisons). This reflects 1016 inspections across the country (includes standard, drug/alcohol, follow-up, construction, public complaint and accident.)
- OPS does not require a formal test to be given to operator and does not certify pipeline employees as to their qualifications.
- Approximately 1 inspector for every 50,000 miles of pipeline.
- In 1998, there were approximately 600 onshore pipeline facility inspections preformed, up from 225 in 1991.