Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Inaugural Meeting

This was the inaugural meeting of the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA). The PIPA focus is to develop more detailed guidance for land use and property development in the vicinity of transmission pipelines.

Protecting Communities - Determine if there is consensus on best practices for:

1. Defining acceptable, and unacceptable, types of development adjacent to transmission ROW.
2. Using enhanced building codes for structures adjacent to transmission ROW.
3. Simple, risk-informed guidance for 1. and 2. above. This guidance should be based on attributes of both the pipeline and the proposed development.
4. Model Ordinances, Planning Policies, Regulations, or State Legislation incorporating or promoting any of these best practices.

Protecting Transmission Pipelines - Determine if there is consensus on best practices for:

1. Building setbacks from the edge of transmission pipeline ROW.
2. Incorporating the ROW space in new developments; residential, commercial, and industrial.
3. Defining acceptable land owner uses and activities on ROW.
4. Heavy construction equipment in the easement and necessary precautions.
5. Specification, acquisition, development, and maintenance of transmission ROW. The maintenance practices should include acceptable vegetation and 3. & 4. above.
6. Model Ordinances, Planning Policies, Regulations, or State Legislation incorporating or promoting any of these best practices.

Risk Communication -

1. Determine if there is consensus on best practices for:
1. Fostering early communication among local government planners, property developers, and pipeline operators;
2. Real estate disclosure of transmission pipeline ROW; and
3. Communicating acceptable uses and activities on ROW to land owners
2. Describe benefits of pipeline transportation
3. Examine risk posed by pipelines at the National level
4. Examine possible tie-ins with Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices
5. Formulate PIPA risk communication plan and design format of final PIPA work product for all Task Teams.