PIC Resources

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Chester County Association of Township Officials

West Pikeland Township Technical Assistance Grant (TAG): This listing provides links to presentations provided to West Pikeland as part of the public meeting they have held, in accordance with the Technical Assistance Grant awarded to the township by PHMSA.

On June 19, 2014, a workshop was held that discussed the regulatory process for pipelines. The following presentations were given:

On March 20, 2014, a workshop was held to discuss pipelines and community planning. The following presentations were given:

John M. Gaadt, AICP discussed Pipelines and the Role of Municipalities in Zoning and Land Planning
Vince Pompo, Esq., discussed Pipelines, Communities and Safety - Land Use Issues and Act 13
Ronald T. Bailey, former Executive Director, Chester County Planning Commission, discussed the County's website Pipeline Information Center (PIC)

FERC Stakeholder Guide

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recognizes that the development of stakeholder outreach programs have become increasingly important, as stakeholders offer valuable insight that can ultimately improve infrastructure projects and meet the public demand for energy. As a result, FERC has issued this industry guidance document to present best practices and to highlight tools that FERC believes can be used to most effectively engage stakeholders in the application process for siting, construction and operation of interstate natural gas facilities.

Landowner's Guide To Pipelines

This Guide, written by the Pipeline Safety Trust (PST) is intended to provide landowners with basic information about the pipeline system, how pipelines are operated and regulated, what rights and responsibilities you may have as a current or future landowner with a pipeline on your property, and where to find more information. While this this guide, describe the different types of pipelines, most of the discussion about property rights, easements, and eminent domain is pertinent to the large transmission and gathering pipelines, than to the small distribution lines that deliver gas to homes and businesses.

Landowners Resource Guide for Pipeline Easements and Rights-of-Way

This resource guide provided here is intended to serve as a resource for landowners and residents, including those who may have an existing or proposed pipeline right-of-way on or near their property. Links and resources on easements are included for those interested in more detailed information on the subject.

Please note that landowners should not rely solely on this information to direct their land or financial decisions. This information is advisory and not intended to be, and should not be considered to be, a substitute for legal advice and planning. Any individual who undertakes specific suggestions presented in the resource guide should do so only after consulting with an experienced professional advisor.

Local Government Guide to Pipelines

This guide was developed by the Pipeline Safety Trust, Bellingham, Washington. It provides basic information about pipeline systems. Similar to the Landowner guide, however, focused on what local governmental roles are in planning for development around existing lines, accident prevention, planning for new pipelines, and where to find more information about these topics.

Marcellus Shale Coalition

The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) works with exploration and production, midstream, and supply chain partners in the Appalachian Basin and across the country to address issues regarding the production of American natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays. They provide information to policymakers, regulators, media, and other public stakeholders on the impacts of responsible natural gas production and have numerous information sheets, studies, reports, and presentations on their website. Two Fact Sheets that residents and property owners may find of particular interest are their Pipeline and Midstream Facilities Fact Sheet and their Pipeline Oversight Fact sheet.

Pipelines and Landscapes Map

View a map showing pipelines and Chester County's Landscapes Map, a guide for growth and rural resource protection described in further detail in the County's comprehensive plan (Landscapes3).

Pipelines and Water Resources Protection

This fact sheet serves as a guide to issues related to natural gas and petroleum pipelines, water resources protection, and municipal regulatory authority and a current case dealing with pipeline activities in Pennsylvania.

Source: Gaadt, John. Pipelines and Water Resources Protection 177 (2015): 8-12. Reprinted from "The Vantage Point: A Publication of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association."

Pipeline Land Use Planning and Model Ordinances for Pennsylvania Municipalities (rev. 2014)

The following information was developed by Gaadt Perspectives, LLC as a regulatory approach tailored to this region of Pennsylvania and consistent with PA Municipalities Planning Code. The process undertaken to develop this information and related legal review is described in the "Introduction to Planning Near Pipelines" section below.

Courtesy of Gaadt Perspectives, LLC.

Introduction to Planning Near Pipelines

Municipalities can use their land-use planning, regulatory and permitting authority to reduce the potential risks to people and property near existing and proposed pipelines. A four-part strategy is recommended that addresses:

Surface land uses associated with pipelines (but not the below-ground interstate transmission pipelines themselves, which are generally outside the regulatory reach of local municipalities),
Street opening standards that address the permitting and design of street excavation and other street-related activities associated with pipelines,
Land use regulations that apply to new development near pipelines, and
Municipal comprehensive planning, which will provide the rational nexus that links municipal policy and regulation.

While the standards provided in these model ordinances have been reviewed by an experienced municipal solicitor, we recommend that, as with any ordinance standards, municipalities work with their solicitor prior to amending their local ordinances. View Introduction

Street Opening Model Ordinance

Pipeline construction will usually require street excavation. The types of excavation necessary for pipeline construction can involve deeper or wider trenching and specialized techniques to ensure public safety. Municipalities can use this model ordinance to ensure that street excavations are performed properly and the street is returned to an appropriate condition upon the completion of the work. View Model Ordinance

Standards for New Development Proposed Near Transmission Pipelines

These regulations are intended to promote public safety by ensuring that new developments, especially those with high populations, which are proposed near existing pipelines are adequately separated from the pipeline corridor, that landscaping is provided to help screen views of the pipeline area, and other safety measures are included.View Standards

Standards for Surface Land Uses Affiliated with Transmission Pipelines

These standards address surface uses that are proposed in conjunction with transmission pipelines. Their purpose is to minimize aesthetic, nuisance, and visual impacts of these uses through proper design, siting, and vegetative screening. They are also intended to ensure that surface land uses are in compliance with industry standards as well as state and federal regulations. View Standards

Potential Impact Radius and Pipeline Class Locations

Pipelines of different sizes can carry different amounts of products and at different pressures. This section includes a graph that compares a pipeline's maximum pressure with the pipeline's diameter, and then identifies a horizontal area near the pipeline that can be adversely influenced in the event of a pipeline accident. The area that is shown on the graph should receive special attention for land use planning and permitting. View Impact Radius

Comprehensive Plan Language for Transmission Pipelines

Municipalities that want to adopt land use regulations associated with gas transmission pipelines should first adopt planning policies that support such regulations. The municipal comprehensive plan should include language that recognizes the potential for pipeline construction, as well as the potential land-use consequences of a pipeline incident, and the municipality's intention to protect the public's health, safety and welfare through the adoption of pipeline-related regulations. View Plan Language

Planning for Legacy Pipelines

How to cope with aging and abandoned energy infrastructure: a Planning Practice story by Tom Burns and Tan Hoang. Article courtesy of APA, Planning Magazine, December 2013. Posted with permission. View Article