Stakeholder Engagement for Pipeline Safety

Background and Challenge

There is widespread local opposition to the development of pipelines transmitting hazardous liquids (such as oil and other petroleum products) and gas in North America. Many communities and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the environmental and safety risks posed by these projects, as well as the long-term effects on local ecosystems and public health. Most disputes center on the necessity and routing of pipelines, with affected communities questioning whether the proposed infrastructure is essential and why certain locations are chosen over others. In more recent years, disputes have grown even more intense as some question the overall societal value of the products in pipelines given their carbon content and ultimate greenhouse gas emissions.

Our Approach

Recognizing these challenges, the Pipeline Safety Trust (PST), a national advocate for pipeline safety, partnered with CBI to facilitate a three-stage collaborative process aimed at improving communication and engagement practices in pipeline development. CBI initiated the effort, working with ERM, with a series of confidential interviews with key stakeholders and experts, followed by a comprehensive background literature review. In 2019, CBI and ERM facilitated a multi-stakeholder workshop, bringing together representatives from NGOs, academia, industry, and local, state, Tribal, and federal government to explore better practices for conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution during pipeline construction.  In a second series of workshops, the participants, including gas distribution companies, outlined several ways to better engage ratepayers, users, and the public about pipelines. One recommendation included creating a multi-sector stakeholder group to develop either federal or industry guidelines for better engagement.  

From this recommendation, PST and Marathon Pipeline launched a process with the American Petroleum Institute’s ANSI standard-setting body to formalize better engagement practices into Recommended Practices (RP 1185) for engaging stakeholders throughout pipeline planning, construction, and operations. The process emphasized balanced representation, clear roles and responsibilities, and the use of a Mutual Gains Approach to maximize the potential for high-value outcomes.

Results

The collaborative effort led to an ANSI-approved standard for the industry, with the establishment of clear, auditable guidelines for pipeline operators, focusing on safety, mutual benefits, and respectful community interactions. These standards are independent of the federal government, and the industry has committed to their implementation. 

Energy Wire’s Mike Soraghan wrote: “The new "public engagement" standard from the American Petroleum Institute is geared toward pushing pipeline developers and operators to communicate more with property owners and share more information, such as inspection reports and emergency response plans.”  The Recommended Practices provides guidelines and best practices for pipeline companies to build upon existing programs, or to establish and implement new stakeholder engagement processes to ensure all stakeholders— including local officials, tribal representatives, community leaders, landowners, and pipeline operators—can engage in meaningful dialogue throughout the life of a pipeline. These guidelines incorporated significant environmental justice components and a framework for more transparent and efficient stakeholder engagement. By fostering joint deliberation and fact-based assessment, the process strengthened relationships between pipeline companies and the communities they affect, reducing miscommunication and building trust.