jim doherty legal consultant municipal research & services center seattle november, 2010

Jim Doherty

Legal ConsultantMunicipal Research & Services Center

SeattleNovember, 2010

AWC – Association of Washington Cities

WSAC – Washington Association of Counties

PST – Pipeline Safety Trust

WUTC - Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

NWGA – Northwest Gas Association

MRSC – Municipal Research & Services Center

Posted a web page http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/PubSafe/transpipes.aspx

Took the message out to the local governments

A dozen presentations around the state

Lots of Print and Electronic Communications

We offered to travel to jurisdictions to meet with local elected officials and staff

We offered to help them by assisting with the drafting of procedural or substantive regulatory ordinances

Verbal support -

◦Gee, nice presentation and info!

◦Promises that they would follow up and take action

But very little action (so far)

Not a single call following the California rupture!

Planning Departments in cities and counties have been decimated by layoffs and funding cuts

◦Only required projects (state mandated planning efforts) and routine tasks

◦Or separately funded projects

Is it too early to see the full impact of our efforts?

Are some jurisdictions awaiting the issuance of the PIPA report?

Will the release of the report provide the legitimacy for local governments to address the issue?

We can hope so.

The Achaeans had Achilles, the Trojans had Hector (for a while)

In every community we need to get either a member of the legislative body, a persuasive planner, or a VERY EFFECTIVE local citizen to push the issue.

We now have good, well thought out options to offer to local governments

Many local governments are currently in a defensive mode, unwilling or unable to take on new initiatives

The pipelines are underground and most people are not concerned until they see flames and hear sirens

Continue with same pattern: educate & seek to motivate, provide $$$ to prime the pump

Elicit support from industry and get industry more involved with local government planning (acknowledgement of risk?)

Can PHMSA take a bolder role in the process?