HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9325INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9325
November 9, 2010
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: STUDY ON NATURAL GAS PIPELINES IN FORT WORTH
On Thursday, October 21, 2010, the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods presented "The State
of Natural Gas Pipelines in Fort Worth ", a study prepared by Richard B. Kuprewicz, President of
Accufacts Inc. and Carl Weimer, Executive Director of the Pipeline Safety Trust. The study was
funded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety. The
study was designed to examine pipeline issues of concern to the Fort Worth community. The
regulatory environment was examined at the federal, state, and local levels. Additionally, the
authors of the study met with the gas pipeline industry to seek their input. City staff also met with
the authors and provided information and input.
The study provided 26 recommendations at the federal, state and local government levels as well
as recommendations for the industry and citizens. The study recognizes that the City has limited
regulatory oversight over the gas pipeline industry. It also recognizes that the City has the ability
to influence gas pipeline alignments through the regulation of those areas that the City does
control such as street rights -of -way and City owned or controlled property.
Some of the recommendations at the state level had already been identified in the City's
legislative program such as clarifying the use of state highway right -of -way corridors for gas
pipelines.
During the most recent ordinance revisions in 2008, provisions were introduced that provided a
greater level of oversight for gas pipelines. The Gas Drilling Review Committee is an example of
additional oversight to require public notice and an opportunity for comment by citizens having
residential uses along proposed gas pipeline routes.
The study mentions a second report to be released within weeks by the Pipelines and Informed
Planning Alliance (PIPA). The report will contain "best practices" for local governments to
increase safety near gas pipelines.
City staff, including the Department of Law, will review the recommendations provided in the
League's study and the PIPA report, when released, to evaluate any changes that might be
warranted to the City's Gas Drilling Ordinance and related processes. Staff will provide an update
to the City Council after release of the PIPA report.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Rick Trice at (817) 392 -7959.
Dale A. Fisseler, P.E. U
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS