Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) launches #PipelinesExposed Q&A series
It’s an initiative that digs deep into safety and environmental protection.
In recent weeks, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association has launched a blog series called #PipelinesExposed – with CEPA president and CEO Brenda Kenny answering tough questions from the public about pipelines and the environment.
During a series of short video clips, Kenny answers questions about:
- emergency response;
- the long-term move toward renewable energy sources;
- precautions around waterways;
- transporting diluted bitumen (dilbit) from the Canadian oil sands;
- monitoring for ground movement and corrosion; and more.
“The product inside (pipelines) is highly regulated by our companies to make sure nothing enters that pipeline that can damage it,” Kenny says during one of her video responses. “And we run, inside the pipe, a very sophisticated detection technique that will look at any changes in the wall thickness. We’ll know about that in advance, go and inspect it proactively, and replace pipe that we need to.”
CEPA represents Canada’s transmission pipeline companies that, collectively, operate about 115,000 kilometres’ worth of pipeline in Canada, and 13,000 kilometres in the U.S.
Based on a 2012 economic study, the operation of all of Canada’s energy transmission pipelines contributes $8.8 billion per year to the Canadian economy, sustains 25,000 jobs, and generates $1.9 billion in annual labour income.
And when it comes to environmental protection, CEPA programs and member initiatives are constantly advancing safety – on what is already one of the safest pipeline networks in the world – through innovation, collaboration, and vigilance, using both human and automated resources. These initiatives include:
- CEPA’s Mutual Emergency Assistance Agreement, which has formalized the sharing of resources between CEPA members in the unlikely event of a major incident;
- CEPA’s Integrity First program, which applies strict standards and systems in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining pipelines;
- Advancements in industry technologies that enhance safety and reliability; and
- Strengthening control-room management operations and procedures.
Learn more about the #PipelinesExposed series at CEPA’s website.
