Part of Your Community Important Safety Information TransCanada - Bison Pipeline
Public Safety Information Pipeline Safety is Everybody s Business This brochure contains important safety information about interstate natural gas pipelines, and you live or work near the newly constructed Bison Pipeline. Bison Pipeline LLC is wholly owned by an indirect subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation. TransCanada is proud to be a part of your community and looks forward to working together with you as Partners in Safety. About TransCanada TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure. As demand for energy increases, TransCanada is expanding its pipeline and energy business into new areas. Bison Pipeline is an interstate natural gas pipeline that will provide energy producers in the Powder River Basin with additional access to natural gas pipeline capacity to meet increasing natural gas demand in the Midwest market. Pipelines are the safest method of transporting the huge volumes of natural gas that must be moved throughout North America everyday in order to meet energy needs. Find more information about TransCanada at www.transcanada.com. About Natural Gas Natural gas is a versatile fuel that is commonly transported in underground pipelines. Natural gas: Can have an unusual petroleum or rotten egg smell. Can displace oxygen and cause suffocation. Is lighter than air. Is flammable. Is used for heating homes and cooking meals. Certain concentrations of natural gas and oxygen can be explosive when allowed to build up in confined areas.
Bison Pipeline TransCanada WARNING HIGH PRESSURE GAS PIPELINE Where is the Pipeline? Bison Pipeline is approximately 302 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and will move gas northeastward from the Powder River Basin connecting the Dead Horse Region near Gillette, Wyoming, to the Kurtz receipt point located in North Dakota on the Northern Border Pipeline Company system for delivery into the Midwest market. The pipeline is buried and the exact depth of cover can only be determined by a TransCanada representative. The permanent right-of-way easements (the strips of land set aside to construct and operate a pipeline) measure approximately 50 feet in width, although additional temporary workspace is required during construction. Line Marker Warning Sign with Marker Post Vent Marker Aerial Marker Pipeline Safety Unauthorized digging by contractors, farmers, landscapers and homeowners is the leading cause of pipeline accidents. Call 811 before you dig by hand or with machinery. It could prevent accidents, injuries or deaths. Your One Call Center will contact all buried facility owners in the area that are members of the One Call System. You may have to make some additional contacts for facility owners that aren t members. TransCanada is a member of all operating state One Call Centers where it has facilities. Advise others to contact TransCanada before performing any activity that might damage the pipeline. Contact TransCanada if you observe any drilling, excavating or blasting in the vicinity of the pipeline that you believe the company may not be aware of.
Maintaining Pipeline Safety TransCanada s pipeline systems works to meet all applicable federal and state safety standards. The pipeline facilities will be constantly monitored to ensure safety and integrity of the entire system. TransCanada conducts aerial patrols of pipeline rights-of-way to identify unauthorized activity, encroachments and erosion. TransCanada s U.S. employees are trained to meet all mandated federal requirements for pipeline Operator Qualifications in the U.S. Enhanced Operations and Maintenance Activities / Pipeline Integrity Program Managing and maintaining the integrity of the Bison Pipeline system is a primary goal of the company. The purpose of this program is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation of natural gas for our customers without adverse effects on the public, our customers, our employees or the environment. This program provides for the comprehensive, integrated management of threats to the integrity of the pipeline. This is done by ensuring that integrity risks associated with the pipeline are identified, assessed and managed to a level as low as reasonably practicable. The Bison Pipeline integrity program is subject to the requirements of 49 CFR, Part 192.620, which requires the Bison Pipeline system to be assessed against integrity risks every seven years. In addition to the integrity management requirements, operations and maintenance activities are enhanced to provide additional pipeline safety. Pipeline Emergencies A pipeline emergency could involve an uncontrolled or unplanned release of natural gas from the pipeline system. If an incident occurs on the system, TransCanada confirms the exact location and identifies affected facilities. Valves spaced at intervals along all TransCanada pipelines allow incidents to be quickly and effectively isolated. Trained crews are dispatched to the adjacent facilities to assist with the isolation and to the emergency site to establish an Incident Command Post. Through this Incident Command Post and the Emergency Operations Center, TransCanada coordinates emergency response efforts by working closely with local emergency service groups, regulatory agencies, landowners, community officials and the media.
Our crews will respond immediately In the event of a pipeline incident, TransCanada s priorities are to ensure public safety, minimize effects on the environment and safeguard its facilities. Safety in the Community TransCanada s operations extend across the country with established offices in key communities. Each region is fully staffed with qualified employees trained in pipeline safety and emergency response who ensure the safe and efficient operation of facilities in the area. TransCanada also has strong partnerships with emergency services organizations in the communities where it operates. Firefighters, police and emergency medical crews are familiar with operations and are ready to respond in the event of an incident. Call Before You Dig It s Free Dig with C.A.R.E. Call 811 before you dig Allow required time for marking Respect the marks Lines are marked by flags, paint, or other markers (normally yellow for pipelines). Excavate carefully Hand dig to determine exact locations of pipelines. A TransCanada Representative must be present.
Natural Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Pipeline Under Construction Natural Gas Pipeline In Development Natural Gas Pipeline Proposed Oil Pipeline Oil Pipeline Under Construction Oil Pipeline In Development Power Facility Gas Storage North American Assets Building a fence? Planting a tree? Digging? Call: U.S. One Call Center 811 For Emergency U.S. 1.800.447.8066 For General Inquiries U.S. 1.800.661.3805 For Landowner Inquiries U.S. 1.877.287.1782 National Pipeline Mapping System (N.P.M.S.) Further information regarding pipelines located in your community can be accessed through the National Pipeline Mapping System at www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov
Being a Partner in Pipeline Safety Although a leak on a natural gas pipeline is rare, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of a leak. What you may see Dead or dying vegetation on or near a pipeline in an area that is usually green. Water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek, or river. Dirt being blown or appearing thrown into the air. Fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above the ground. What you may hear A roaring, blowing, hissing or loud whistling sound. What you may smell You may not smell much, as there is little or no odor associated with natural gas other than a slight petroleum odor. If the natural gas has been odorized you may smell a rotten egg odor. If You Suspect a Leak If you witness any of these typical signs, or any other unusual sights, sounds or smells near a pipeline location, it is important that you follow these steps: 1. LEAVE the area immediately - do not use your motor vehicles or any equipment that could be a potential ignition source, including your cell phone. 2. Move to a safe location, CALL 911 and TransCanada s emergency number 1.800.447.8066 3. WARN others to stay away.