Enbridge in Illinois: Safety
Our environmental best-management construction practices have helped establish Enbridge as leader in the pipeline industry.
Safety
Our environmental best-management construction practices have helped establish Enbridge as leader in the pipeline industry. In addition to our own strict standards, federal, state, and local regulatory agencies provide additional monitoring and require permitting and oversight during construction activities.
Enbridge pipelines and facilities are designed and constructed to meet, and often exceed federal pipeline safety laws and regulations. Examples of how Enbridge goes above and beyond include:
- Designing, building, and testing pipelines, tanks and related infrastructure to withstand pressures and external stressors to above maximum operating pressures
- Building in multiple/redundant leak detection systems, sensors, and monitors to our pipelines and throughout our facilities using the latest technologies available
- Using multiple testing methods to confirm the integrity of new pipelines and tanks including ultrasonic or X-ray testing of 100 percent of the construction welds, conducting hydrostatic tests, and running inline tools in the pipelines prior to putting them into service
- Increased supplemental Public Awareness programs with local emergency responders, which includes ongoing engagement and training opportunities with Enbridge as well as grants to local emergency response organizations that can be used for their own training and equipment
Regulatory oversight of petroleum pipelines is extensive
Federal pipeline regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) have evolved over the decades and currently include the design, operation, and maintenance of pipelines. Interstate pipelines such as Enbridge’s pipeline system are federally regulated by PHMSA. In addition to PHMSA, other regulatory agencies with which Enbridge works in Illinois relative to construction, maintenance, and on-going pipeline operations include:
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC);
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
- Illinois Commerce Commission;
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; and
- County and municipal departments.
On-scene health concerns no longer ‘up in the air’
New multi-gas monitor sniffs out noxious atmospheres for Chicago-area fire department
Substantial protection measures are in place
Transporting energy to meet the nation’s needs requires that our system cross various environments. We take our responsibility to protect the environments our pipelines cross very seriously. Before a new pipeline is built, alternative routes are reviewed and, after careful assessment of the biological, cultural and community conditions, protection and maintenance measures are established. We are confident, after restoration, our long-term impact to land along our pipeline routes is minimized.
