Dear Editor,
During the 2016 legislative session, Senate Bill 2755 which added enforceable damage prevention rules to ensure the safety of all underground utility lines/pipelines was signed into law. This includes transmission lines carrying energy products long distances, as well as distribution lines delivering natural gas. Pipeline incidents can present significant risks to the public and the environment.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Mississippi Public Service Commission are the federal and state agencies charged with the responsibility of pipeline safety regulation. Rickey Cotton, head of MPSC Pipeline Safety Division, states “Every second of the day Mississippians are living, working, and playing in close proximity to buried utility. By calling before you dig and respecting the marks we are ultimately protecting our families, co-workers and friends”. The Pipeline Safety Division also conducts safety inspections to ensure compliance with pipeline safety regulation.
Mississippi 811, Inc. serves as the link between persons who wish to dig (excavators) and those who own or operate the underground facilities (operators) in Mississippi. Prior to any activities which involve drilling, blasting, digging and/or boring, Mississippi 811 must be notified. Mississippi 811 will notify any affected member utility company (based on the geographic location of the dig site), who will then send a representative to the dig site and mark where the underground facilities are so that no lines/pipelines are impacted. This process could take up to 48 hours after notifying Mississippi 811. The newly-enacted law applies to all excavators, contractors, builders and private citizens.
Starting January 1, 2017, the law creates a system of enforcement/penalties and training for violations of dig laws. To avoid penalties, operators must become members of Mississippi 811 prior to January 2017. Central District Commissioner Cecil Brown, who serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioner’s subcommittee on Pipeline Safety, plans to work with industry leaders to ensure the safety of Mississippi’s underground facilities.
People who may have questions about the new law should contact Mississippi 811 by dialing 811 or 1-800-227-6477.
Alex Washington
Chief Policy Advisor
Mississippi Public Service
Commission-Central District
