Public Awareness

OUR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

At Howard Energy Partners, protecting the environment and safeguarding the health and safety of our employees, neighbors, and contractors is more than a priority—it’s a core value that drives our business. This commitment forms the foundation of our efforts to ensure the sustainability of our operations and the communities we serve.

We adhere to comprehensive environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards, consistently meeting and often exceeding stringent government regulations. Our goal is to go beyond compliance, fostering strong relationships with customers, landowners, and community stakeholders to promote trust and collaboration. We believe that transparency and open communication are key to ensuring that our operations are conducted with respect and care for the surrounding environment.

By actively engaging with our neighbors, we work to minimize the impact of our operations on local communities and ecosystems. This includes protecting natural resources like water supplies, preserving soil health, safeguarding wildlife habitats, and improving air quality. We take measures to reduce noise pollution and other potential disruptions to the lives and livelihoods of those around us.

Additionally, we take pride in reducing our environmental footprint by employing innovative technologies or concepts, and sustainable practices at every stage of our operations. This includes the use of eco-friendly construction techniques and continually seeking new ways to improve our environmental performance. As part of our long-term commitment to land stewardship, we are dedicated to restoring land to its natural state as soon as construction is completed and weather conditions permit.

At Howard Energy Partners, responsible operations are at the heart of what we do. We are committed to operating responsibly, ensuring that every project site is left in better condition than when we arrived—because we believe it’s the right thing to do. This is not just about good business practice; it’s about contributing to the long-term sustainability of our planet and future generations.

ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROMOTING AWARENESS

At Howard Energy Partners, public safety and education are top priorities. Written agreements between landowners and pipeline companies enable the construction and maintenance of pipeline rights-of-way on both public and privately owned property. Your property may be one of many in your community that contains an underground pipeline easement.

To ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, it’s important to know whether a pipeline crosses your land. We encourage you to check for pipeline markers posted on your property or in the surrounding neighborhood. These markers serve as critical guides, providing the approximate location of the pipeline and essential emergency information. Additionally, we recommend to review the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS), which offers detailed mapping of pipelines in your area, as well as other similar resources available in your state.

Markers are strategically placed along the pipeline route, and they display vital details, including the names and emergency contact numbers of pipeline operators. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these markers, and keep a record of the names and phone numbers of the companies listed. This information could be crucial in the event of an emergency.

We also encourage all landowners and community members to follow the “Call Before You Dig” rule by dialing 811 before starting any excavation projects near a pipeline easement. Even small projects like planting trees or installing fences can disrupt pipelines if proper precautions are not taken. By calling 811, you’ll ensure utility lines are marked in advance to excavating, reducing the risk of accidents or damage.

For more information on how to protect yourself, your property, and your community, please reference your states requirements or meet with us at our annual public awareness meetings in your state. These resources provide comprehensive guidelines and important safety tips on maintaining a safe distance from pipeline infrastructure and handling emergencies.

Together, by staying informed and vigilant, we can help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.

COMMON QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A RIGHT-OF-WAY?
A Right-of-Way (ROW) is a legal right that allows a person or organization to pass through or use someone else’s property for a specific purpose. In the context of utilities, such as pipelines, power lines, or roads, a right-of-way typically grants a company permission to access and use a defined strip of land to construct, operate, and maintain infrastructure like pipelines, electrical lines, or roads. Here are key aspects of a Right-of-Way:
  • Legal Agreement: A ROW is usually established through a legal agreement between the property owner and the company. This agreement defines the specific terms, including the allowed activities and the boundaries of the right-of-way.
  • Limited Ownership: The property owner retains ownership of the land but must allow the ROW holder (often a utility or government entity) to access and use the land for the agreed-upon purpose.
  • Examples: Common examples of rights-of-way include easements for underground pipelines, electric transmission lines, communications lines such as telephone and fiber optic lines, and roads including other forms of public transportation.
  • Easement: A ROW is often associated with an easement, which is a legal mechanism granting the right to use land for a specific purpose. Easements typically outline how the land can be used and maintained.
  • Maintenance and Access: Companies with a ROW must maintain the infrastructure, and property owners are often restricted from building or planting anything that might interfere with access or safety within the ROW.
An Easement is a legal right that allows someone to use a portion of another person’s property for a specific purpose, without owning the land. It essentially grants access or use rights to a third party while the landowner retains ownership of the property. Key Aspects of an Easement:
  • Non-Possessory Right: The person or entity holding the easement has the right to use the property, but they do not own or possess it. The property owner still holds the title and controls the land, except for the use defined by the easement.
  • Purpose-Specific: Easements are typically granted for specific purposes, such as allowing utility companies to install and maintain pipelines, electrical lines, or drainage systems on private property.
  • Types of Easements:
    • Utility Easements: Allow utility companies to run power lines, water pipes, gas lines, or communication cables across a property.
    • Right-of-Way Easements: Allow access through a property for transportation, such as roads, sidewalks, or even driveways shared between neighbors.
    • Prescriptive Easements: Arise through long-term, continuous use of the property by someone else, often without the formal consent of the landowner, but established through legal precedent over time.
    • Conservation Easements: Prevent certain types of development or activities on a property to protect natural resources, wildlife habitats, or historical landmarks.
  • Obligations and Limitations:
    • The landowner may not obstruct the easement holder’s access or use.
    • The easement holder is typically responsible for maintaining the area necessary for their usage (e.g., keeping a utility line clear of overgrown vegetation).
  • Permanent or Temporary: Some easements are permanent, tied to the land itself and transferring with the property if sold. Others may be temporary, lasting only for a specific period or until a project is completed.
  • Private vs. Public Easements:
    • Private Easements: Benefit specific individuals or entities, like a neighbor needing access to a shared driveway.
    • Public Easements: Benefit the general public, such as utility lines running under roads.
Although not common, we do encourage you to understand the signs of a possible pipeline leak and how to respond. Knowing how to recognize a potential pipeline leak quickly is crucial for safety as it can pose serious risks to public health and the environment. It’s important to know these signs that may suggest a leak is occurring:
  • Sight:
    • Liquid pools: Unusual pools of liquid or oil, especially if it hasn’t rained recently, could signal a leak from an underground or above-ground pipeline
    • Dead or discolored plants including discolored or abnormally dry soil/vegetation: Unexplained patches of dead, dying, or discolored grass, plants, or crops over or near a pipeline route may indicate a leak, especially in areas surrounded by healthy vegetation.
    • Continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas or an oily sheen on water surfaces.
    • Vaporous fogs: A fog-like vapor cloud commonly found in areas of high humidity
    • Blowing dirt around a pipeline area: A strong leak in underground pipelines may cause dirt or dust to be blown upward from the ground. If/when ignited, fire would be coming from the ground.
    • Visible frost or ice: Even in warm weather, a gas leak can cause frost or ice to form on the ground or nearby vegetation due to the cooling effect of escaping gases.
  • Sound:
    • Hissing or roaring: A leak, especially from a gas pipeline, may create a hissing, roaring, or whistling sound. Volume can vary in range from a quiet hissing to a loud roar depending on the size of the leak depending on the pressure and size of the leak. Although this is particularly evident near valves or pipeline seams, it can be evident anywhere along the pipeline right-of-way.
  • Smell:
    • An unusual smell, petroleum odor, or gaseous odor will sometimes accompany pipeline leaks. Some pipeline companies, especially those carrying natural gas, may contain odorants like mercaptan, which give off a strong, sulfur-like smell (similar to rotten eggs). If you detect this unusual odor, it could indicate a gas leak.
  • Gas transmission/gas gathering pipelines are odorless, but may contain a hydrocarbon smell.
  • Gas distribution systems are odorized with the chemical mercaptan or other similar chemicals. Mercaptan is a harmless non-toxic chemical that is added to make it easier to detect a gas leak due to its skunk-like odor.
  • Highly Volatile Liquids (HVL’s) can be odorless and colorless in their natural state and most are considered irritants to eyes and nose. Commercial odorants may be added to assist in detection of a leak.
  • Landfill gas, which is becoming a popular source of natural gas, has a more pungent and unpleasant odor similar to the smell of rotting garbage.
  • Physical Symptoms
Health effects: Exposure to gas leaks may cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, or headaches. If multiple people in the same area experience these symptoms, it could signal the presence of a leak.
  • Leave the Area Immediately
    • Move to a safe location away from the suspected leak, staying upwind if possible.
    • Direct others nearby to leave the area, ensuring everyone moves to safety.
  • Call Emergency Services
    • From a safe distance, dial 911 to report the leak and provide your name, phone number, a brief description of the situation, and the exact location.
    • Contact the pipeline company using the emergency number posted on nearby pipeline markers. Provide the same information about the leak.
    • Report what you have observed. When calling emergency services or the pipeline company, provide as much detail as possible.
  • Avoid Direct Contact with Substances
    • Do not touch or come into direct contact with any escaping liquids or gases, as they may be harmful.
  • Do Not Attempt to Extinguish a Fire
    • Leave firefighting to emergency professionals. If a fire is present, evacuate the area immediately and let trained personnel handle the situation.
  • Do Not Attempt to Fix the Leak
    • Do not try to repair the leak. It is dangerous and must be handled by trained professionals with the proper equipment.
  • Do Not Operate Pipeline Valves
    • Do not attempt to operate any valves on the pipeline, as this could worsen the leak or cause further complications, such as rerouting more product to the leak.
  • Avoid Any Sources of Ignition
    • Do not ignite flames or create any sparks. This includes:
  • Do not use electrical switches or devices (e.g., lights, automatic garage doors, motor vehicles, or electrical equipment).
  • Do not light matches, start vehicles, or use anything that could produce a spark.
  • If indoors, avoid using landlines, cell phones, or unplugging devices, as these could generate a spark.
  • Do Not Drive Through the Leak Area

Do not drive into a vapor cloud or leak area. Leave the site on foot, staying clear of the leak, and avoid the use of motor vehicles until you are in a safe zone.

811 Call Before You Dig: Prevent Pipeline Accidents

Accidental “dig-ins” caused by property owners or contractors make up the majority of pipeline accidents. These incidents are preventable if the proper steps are taken before digging. Contacting pipeline companies in advance is essential for avoiding damage to underground pipelines. It is important to note that pipeline markers do not always provide the exact location or direction of a pipeline.

Why Call 811 Before You Dig?

To help maintain the safety and integrity of the pipeline system, the nationwide Call Before You Dig service is available by dialing 811. Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or involved in excavation projects, calling 811 is the first step in preventing accidents. This service applies to anyone using mechanized equipment for activities like:

  • Commercial construction or excavation
  • Road maintenance or landscaping
  • Installing telephone poles, fences, or drainage systems


How It Works

When you call 811, the center functions as a clearinghouse that notifies underground facility owners of your planned excavation. Within 48 to 72 hours, the relevant utility and pipeline companies will visit the site to mark the location of any underground facilities. This allows you to dig safely and avoid costly or dangerous incidents.

For more details on the Call Before You Dig program, visit www.call811.com.

EXCAVATION SAFETY

At HEP, protecting the environment and ensuring the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and the community is a top priority. One of the most significant aspects of this responsibility is ensuring safe excavation practices, which are vital in preventing damage to pipelines and utilities. Excavation activities, if not conducted carefully, can lead to dangerous accidents, environmental hazards, and disruptions to critical infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, we follow stringent safety protocols and collaborate with industry-leading organizations to ensure our teams are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed for safe excavation. Several organizations play an essential role in promoting education and awareness around pipeline and utility damage prevention. Among these are: For additional questions or for more information regarding HEP general guidelines for third-party construction, maintenance work and crossing, please reach out to encroachments@howardep.com.