A petroleum pipeline under an upcoming development near Dixie Highway and I-75 has residents and officials concerned about safety.
‘I want to know what would occur of that pipe were compromised. What would happen to the environment. What would happen if it was a catastrophic accident that caused deaths,” asked resident Bob White.
Buckeye Pipeline has a pipeline running through the property supplying fuel to industry.
Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said his concern is security, if there is a serious accident or the pipeline is damaged or compromised in some way.
‘My concern is what preventative measures are in place to protect the safety of residents and environmental damage,” Kittle said.
Independence Fire Chief Mitch Petterson is working with Buckeye on emergency plans, Kittle said.
‘One of the things we have here is emergency plan in place for many things, I asked Petterson to review the plans with Buckeye to make sure the community is prepared,” the supervisor said. “There is going to be a lot of activity on that little parcel of land. The township is working with Buckeye to ensure safety measures are in place when construction occurs near the pipeline.”
Buckeye also has certain requirements that must be followed when any work is done near the pipeline.
Marty White, senior specialist for Buckeye Right-of Way division, said the company has emergency plans in place overseen by three tiers of government including the Department of Transportation.
White, no relation to Bob White, said if the pipe was compromised , it would be shut off remotely in Pennsylvania. There is a valve station in the Clarkston area, but the nearest Buckeye crews are in Flint.
The pipeline running across the proposed development was built in 1959-1960.
Pipelines are protected to preserve their integrity, he said. Contractors are required to call the Miss Dig System at 811. After calling 811, a request to locate all utilities is sent to all companies with utilities in the area. Buckeye would send an employee to the construction site when work is being done.
‘Even though we have protective measures in place, there is still a plausible risk that something could happen to the pipe,” he said. White added Buckeye has received Furnari’s plans for review.