Pipeline Safety Information for Washington Local Governments
The process for regulating and testing pipelines transporting hazardous liquids and gas has come under scrutiny since the 1999 Olympic Pipeline disaster in Bellingham. This site provides information to Washington local governments on various issues related to pipeline safety. Additional information can be found on the Web pages of the state Utility and Transportation Commission - see Pipeline Safety.
In 2000, the Washington State Legislature directed the Municipal Research Council to draft model ordinances and franchise documents regarding pipelines, now codified at RCW 43.110.070, by June 30, 2001. That task was completed by MRSC and copies appear under Washington Model Pipeline Ordinances.
The presence of a major pipeline forms a relationship between the pipeline operator, safety regulators, local government, property owners and developers. How it is managed can directly affect the safe operation of the pipeline and the public health and safety of the surrounding community. In 2005 five workshops were conducted throughout the state to exchange ideas, and explore the range of tools available to manage and make effective decisions concerning land use in proximity to transmission pipelines. The resulting report, Land Use Planning in Proximity to Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Transmission Pipelines (
627 KB) was a collaborative effort between state and local governments and the pipeline industry.
Washington local governments are encouraged to provide MRSC with additional information, links, and suggestions for these pages. Our goal is to provide objective, helpful information to cities and counties. If you have additional information or suggestions, please contact Jim Doherty, MRSC Legal Consultant, at jdoherty@mrsc.org, or Lynne De Merritt, Senior Research Consultant at ldemerritt@mrsc.org or call (206) 625-1300.