Page 109 - Pipeline Pigging Technology

Pipeline Pigging Technology

greater than lOlbs. The policy also establishes clean-up levels and general
methodologies for spills onto both solid surfaces and soils.

Impacts on the pipeline industry: In many instances, the regulation of
PCBs by TSCA has had a major financial impact on members of the pipeline
industry. Historically, PCBs have been used widely as heat exchange fluids
and lubricants, both by natural gas pipelines and by product pipelines. In
natural gas pipelines, this use of PCBs has led to the contamination of
compressor facilities as well as the pipelines. The TSCA-required clean-up of
this contamination has been estimated to have the potential to cost one
natural gas transmission system more than $500million. Natural gas transmis-
sion companies recently have begun to address the problem of historic PCB
contamination; although the magnitude of financial liability has not been
determined accurately by these companies at this time, early estimates
indicate that the clean-up of PCB contamination potentially will be expen-
sive.
The selected level of clean-up for PCBs has not been totally agreed upon
by all regulatory agencies. However, the utilization of risk assessment as a tool
to set clean-up levels is becoming more popular throughout the industry and
regulatory community. It is hoped that by the effective use of risk assessment,
clean-up levels can be established based on a realistic determination of the
risks posed.

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

There are numerous other environmental regulations that could have an
impact on the pipeline industry. Most notably, the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 could affect the pipeline industry.
Other legislation regulating underground storage tanks and pesticides also
may have potential impacts.
It is assumed that the future will bring more environmental regulations to
bear on the pipeline industry. The impact that these regulations have on the
industry will be reduced significantly if pipeline industry representatives
remain up-to-date on the regulations' contents and implications. The nation
and the regulatory agencies now are looking to the pipeline industry not only
as a source of hydrocarbon-based energy, but as an industry that conducts its
business in an environmentally-responsible manner.

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