PHMSA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), released the new guidance document, "Hazard Mitigation Planning: Practices for Land Use Planning and Development near Pipelines." It outlines best practices for communities to reduce risks from pipeline incidents, including those caused by natural hazards.
It was prepared by PHMSA's Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Communications Team and is sponsored by PHMSA in coordination with FEMA as a primer for incorporating pipeline hazards into hazard mitigation plans.
The guidance aims to provide emergency managers, planners, and others involved with developing hazard mitigation plans with the knowledge and understanding of:
- how pipelines operate,
- the common products that may be transported through transmission pipelines,
- the potential impacts (risks) of pipeline incidents,
- and mitigation strategies they can implement to reduce these risks.
FEMA, DOT and the PIPA team work closely together to share program requirements and guidance, and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
PIPA team contributors include state, federal and local government officials, as well as representatives from the pipeline industry and the general public. To view the new guidance document, Hazard Mitigation Planning: Practices for Land Use Planning and Development near Pipelines, and for additional information and resources to support states, tribes and local communities in developing hazard mitigation plans to build and maintain capabilities to reduce risks from all hazards visit www.fema.gov/multi-hazard-mitigation-planning.
PHMSA also provides Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) program that can assist local communities with implementing the guidance.