Transmission Pipelines and Land Use

Transmission pipelines make up 20 percent of the 1.8 million total miles of pipelines in the United States and transport virtually all of the nation's natural gas and two-thirds of its petroleum products. In the absence of land use policies, development often may proceed adjacent to pipeline rights-of-way or in the vicinity of active pipelines. Pipeline incidents occur almost daily; most are minor, but a few are not. This report calls on the Office of Pipeline Safety in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration to work with stakeholders to draft guidance on risk-informed land use for policy makers, planners, local officials, and the public.