New Law Protects Pipeline Infrastructure From Underground Blasting

Tennessee Lawmakers, Governor Praised for New Safety Measure

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The president of Colonial Pipeline Company today praised the Tennessee Legislature and Gov. Phil Bredesen for adopting a new law that protects petroleum pipelines from underground blasting.

During the 2008 session, legislators tightened blasting laws to add new limits that protect Colonial Pipeline as well as other underground petroleum pipelines.

“Developing a state’s infrastructure is an important job for any government official,” said Norm Szydlowski, the president and CEO of Colonial, which has its headquarters in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta.

“But it’s just as important to safeguard the infrastructure that you have, and for that the Governor and Legislature deserve our deep appreciation,” Szydlowski said.

The pipeline safety bill was sponsored by Sen. Tim Burchett, a Knoxville Republican and Deputy Speaker of the Senate, and by Rep. Curt Cobb, a Democrat from Shelbyville. The bipartisan support resulted in unanimous passage, 32-0 in the Senate and 93-0 in the House. Gov. Bredesen signed the new law on March 10 and it becomes effective July 1.

Without this new legislation, Colonial was forced to negotiate with construction crews and others doing blasting to ensure their work did not threaten the pipeline.

“While there has been a spirit of cooperation in these negotiations, the proper thing to do was ensure the safety of these pipeline operations. They are too vital to our citizens and our state’s economy to leave anything at risk,” said Rep. Cobb.

Tennessee receives a significant portion of its gasoline and other liquid fuels via Colonial’s network of underground pipelines. Colonial’s 5,500 miles of pipe stretch from the refineries of the Gulf Coast to the New York harbor, serving Tennesseans along the way. Products carried on the Colonial Pipeline include diesel fuel, home heating oil, jet fuel and fuels for the U.S. military as well as gasoline.