The Public Utility Commission highlighted numerous key safety recommendations included in the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force report presented to the Governor Thursday.

“Ensuring the reliability and soundness of our statewide energy infrastructure is a major concern for the PUC, and we are pleased that the Task Force took the time to closely examine these unique issues,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown, who led the Pipeline Safety and Integrity Workgroup.

Key safety recommendations advanced by the PITF include:

-- Designating the PUC to enforce the Pennsylvania One Call system and Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Law, with a goal of reducing the number of “hits” on underground pipelines;

-- Annual leak surveys on all existing or new pipelines, including the expansion of the leak-detection surveys to include Class 1 gathering lines and production lines outside the well pad;

-- Accelerated leak repairs, including the scheduling of repairs on all classes of leaks;

-- Establishment of a centralized mapping system for use by emergency responders, along with a public portal for accessing mapping information; and

-- Creation of a website providing access to all publicly available pipeline inspection information.

“We are encouraged by increased public discussion of these important safety issues,” said Chairman Brown. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office, the General Assembly and other stakeholders to begin putting these measures into action to further safeguard our vital infrastructure.”

A copy of the final report is available online.

For more information, visit the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force webpage.

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DEP Presents Final Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Report To Governor

2/22/2016