I understand a major cause of pipeline accidents is careless digging. What is being done to solve this problem?

PHMSA and the pipeline industry have made significant progress in prevention of damage to pipelines by careless digging and other construction activity. Working together, we formed and support a non-profit organization to represent those with interests in underground rights-of-way. The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), comprised of underground utility industries implemented the "Dig Safely" campaign, to create awareness of the vulnerability of pipelines to such activity as construction and the damage that can result from careless backhoe operations, for example. CGA is continuing the awareness and education campaigns, see http://www.commongroundalliance.com. Since the "Dig Safely" campaign and establishment of CGA, and during a period of years when new construction was significantly increasing, the number of accidents caused by outside force has decreased. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 provides authority for the establishment of a national "one-call" system which was ...  more