TEXAS PIPELINE REGULATION:
The paper begins by giving an insight on the general US pipeline regulations laws. A close stress is then made on Texas. It gives the current and strategic contexts on mechanisms being put in place to ensure implementation of the laws. This is preceded by a slight definition and discussion on terminologies that the paper uses in the body. Some of the ideologies that the paper looks at include the mission and objective that the laws have which form the main objectives of the pipeline transportation regulation process. It also looks at the goals that each individual composite bodies and its institutions has set so as to attain them successfully in the given time periods. The paper will look into the key competencies of the law that give them a competitive edge to overcome the vice of lawlessness which outcome may be fatal in case of an accident. The paper also provides all the complex planning processes that are accompanied by explanations that are applicable in the case of Texas pipeline regulations. Moreover, details of the audit conducted on sample cases, the assessment and arguments have been done in which the countries departments and institutions operates. A stakeholder analysis has to be conducted in order to come up with various benefits that a country can attain by following the regulations. The paper also looks at the current procedures of the Texas institutions in order to come up with a means of solving the problems stemming from the strategy. The paper has also come up with a future strategy that is relevant to the law in the near future and the long run. The paper also delves into the role and responsibilities that are requisite for the successful enactment and implementation of the strategies formulated for long-term eradication of pipeline accidents. Finally, the paper looks at the resources that have to be in availability for the successful implementation of the newly formulated mechanisms for the US tax law institutions in order or ensure that the outcome is successful.
Introduction;
Pipeline transportation entails transportation of goods and products through pipes. The most common include liquids, gases and sometimes solid capsules, which are pumped through compressors called Pneumatic tubes. For our case study, we will review pipelines transport in Texas with a stress on the Pipelines Regulations.
According to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49 “Transportation”, Parts 190 – 199 the federal government is entitled with the role of establishing minimum units pipeline safety standards. Texas pipeline networks under the regulations of the Office of pipeline Safety. This body outlines the hazardous liquids and gas pipelines overall regulatory requirements and regulatory, which operates under its jurisdiction.
The OPS offices are located in five regions across the US; Houston in the US is one of them. Consequently, through the directors and managers of the Community assistance and technical services, essential advice is available and plays a huge role in assisting the public and local officials with enquiries that relates to issues related to pipeline safety.
Specifically for Texas, (Childs, 2005) OPS initiate the inspections and ensure enforcement of the pipeline safety regulations for the interstate gas and volatile liquid operators of pipeline in Texas. This process is stamp-marked by the certification of the OPS through which the state is able to enact its regulations through inspection and enforcement. The works is facilitated by the integration of the following bodies; Gas Services Division of the Texas Railroad Commission, ,Texas Pipeline Safety Regulations/Rules , Pipeline Safety ,Texas Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention Rules, Texas Statutes , and Texas Enforcement Program
The Texas pipelines system approximately covers about 250,000 miles. They thus form a very important role for the countries resource for industry. Nevertheless, from another angle, between 1984 and 1999, records have showed, there were 1,654 accidents. It is reported that their aftermath was that there were 385 casualties, killed 46, injured 339 which was worsened by nearly $138 million damage of properties, Jenkins (2000).
The above occurrence served as a wake-up call for the authorities. The lawmakers were caught unawares thus had to respond to this nightmares. This was especially from the outside pressure from lobby groups through this statistical evidence. Top on the list of this Inquiry of the special interest groups was mainly making a request for action in regulating the safety of environmental that would in the end eradicate any health hazards of the pipeline industry (Jenkins, 2000).
Looking back when it all began, a reference is made to the Texas Railroad Commission Act of 1917 which was the first step in gaining some sort of control in the industry of pipeline transport. Gradually, the Act was passed and authority given to the Texas Railroad Commission which onwards would work to prevent unscrupulous commerce in the midst of the pipeline companies.
The second regulation change came by almost immediately. In 1919, the Texas Legislature was passed into law. It entailed the regulation of the governance of the oil and gas. This was coupled with the authority committing and formulating to the Railroad Commission to regulate the production of oil and gas. This was stated in the Regulation of Natural Gas Pipelines (2008).
write my research paper owl essayservice uk writings. the early 1970s, the Texas pipelines had became one of the most significant means of transporting crude oil, natural gas, and other refined products between the various plants and refineries.
Again the enactment and implementation has been relentless. The Passing of The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000 championed the new era of control. This henceforth marked the beginning of the enforcement phase of federal pipeline safety regulations of 49 CFR Part 195. This was mainly targeting the operators of hazardous liquid pipelines (Alvarez, 2008). The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act however, it did not manage to completely eliminate the danger of faulty pipelines. However, from past experiences from the occurrences, long-term commitment of pipeline safety and reliability is being re-enforced requiring the expansion and execution of a veracity manager.
Currently to sum it all, according to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49 “Transportation”, Parts 190 – 199 the federal government is entitled with the role of establishing minimum units pipeline safety standards (Railroad Commission of Texas, Railroad Commission of Texas. Pipeline Safety Section, 1995). Texas pipeline networks under the regulations of the Office of pipeline Safety. This body outlines the hazardous liquids and gas pipelines overall regulatory requirements and regulatory, which operates under its jurisdiction.
Projects;
A famous pipeline project is the KM North Texas which is commonly referred to as the Hinshaw pipeline. In accordance to its all rounded certificate, it is authorised to transport the natural gas by conforming to the interstate commerce regulation. This is done in a similar manner as the activities of the natural gas pipelines are authorized to take part in.
The overall system of the Km North Texas is a made up of an 82 miles of 30 inch pipe. This pipeline is used to transport natural gas from the Natural Gas Pipeline Company interconnect in Lamar county to the FPL Forney interconnect in the Kaufmann County. The whole KM North Texas system also has energy inter-connect with the Energy transfers but it does not own or run any storage amenities.
The pipelines in the US are extensive. They include a labyrinth of pipes made of steel. They normally transport gasoline and oil from one area to another across the US. Above these steel veins are residential houses, schools, rivers among others. The materials carried are highly volatile and hazardous should an accident happen.
A case example was the recent accident that left 127 casualties and damaged approximately $100 million of property. This is a dent to Texas as it is widely covered by a network of pipelines. Actually a number of hazardous accidents have been reported to rock the city especially pipeline leaks, which have contaminated the drinking water and invoked explosions. For the past one decade it has been estimated that up to almost 6 million gallons of spilled materials have been witnessed.
Actual figures show that pipelines crisscross Austin, the central part of Texas by passing extensively under the Colorado River, Town Lake and number of homes. Ultimately there has been a wide debate on whether the Longhorn pipeline should be opened to resume its gasoline pumping of 700 miles from Houston in Texas to El Paso (Childs, 2005).
This accidents have even to close of pipelines. Conspicuously is the Longhorn Project that closed following court order after some Hill Country ranchers petitioned. Meanwhile, US regulatory bodies i.e. US Environmental Protection Agency and department of Transportation are in contention to decide whether the 50-year old, Longhorn pipeline that was used for oil transportation can are re-opened.
Do My Assignment For Me UK: Class Assignment Help Services Best Essay Writing Experts – Another project is the Trafigura project. The project is building an 850 feet long deepwater dock. It has a 45-foot draft that has the capability of fitting and loading an Aframax vessel. (Jenkins, 2000) Ultimately, when complete this project will allow for berthing of some medium-range tankers and also increase the overall terminal’s capacity.
Conclusion
The process of regulations, implementation and practice is a diverse process. Normally it entails an aggregate of various departments towards a common objective. From the above study review, specifically the sample cases, the pipeline regulation process in Texas provides a basis for assessment and understanding of the entire process. The paper also makes a background by delving into the role and responsibilities of the various composite bodies that are requisite for the successful enactment and implementation of the strategies formulated for long-term working of the of the pipeline transport regulations.
Write My Essay 4 Me | UK Online Paper Writing For You – Bibliography
Alvarez, r. (2008, June 23). fortworthtexas.gov. Retrieved 10 23, 2013, from www.fortworthtexas.gov: fortworthtexas.gov/…/Gas…/Regulation%20of%20Natural%20Gas%20Pi
Childs, W. R. (2005). The Texas Railroad Commission: Understanding Regulation In America To The Mid-Twentieth Century. Texas: Texas A&M University Press.
Jenkins, C. (2000). Jenkins, Carl (2000). Texas: Gas, Oil Pipelines Named as Major Safety Hazard. Retrieved 10 23, 2013, from Greenspun: www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0030pn
Railroad Commission of Texas, Railroad Commission of Texas. Pipeline Safety Section. (1995). Pipeline Safety Rules and Regulations. Texas: Transportation/Gas Utilities Division, Pipeline Safety Section.
Watts, J. (2003). Continual vigilance Necessary To Ensure Intergrity. Pipeline and Gas journal , 230(9), 36-39.
