According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pipelines are the safest and most cost-effective way to transport large quantities of natural gas. Florida Southeast Connection, LLC (FSC) develops and operates pipelines under a variety of U.S. and State of Florida regulations as well as industry standards intended to ensure public and environmental safety and health.
FSC has systems in place to ensure the pipeline is properly monitored, operated, maintained and compliant with all state and federal regulations. For example, all of the mainline valves are equipped with remote-controlled technology so that the valves can be closed in an emergency to limit or stop the release of gas from a leak, or to rapidly “depressurize” a section of pipe should it be damaged.
Active 24/7 Monitoring
- FSC is staffed around-the-clock by trained pipeline controllers in our state-of-the-art Pipeline Control Center. There is also a separate back-up control center located to ensure redundancy.
- Trained technicians continuously control and monitor gas pressures, flows and temperatures in the pipeline.
Safe Operation and Maintenance
- FSC’s DOT operator-qualified personnel have operated and maintained oil and natural gas pipelines in Florida since 1974.
- Regular patrols are scheduled along the pipeline right-of-way to ensure pipeline safety.
- Surveillance and maintenance operations – patrols, right-of-way maintenance and corrosion control systems – protect the pipelines from damage or degradation.
Regulatory Compliance
- FSC complies with all DOT and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requirements, and we have a team in place to ensure continued compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
- We ensure ongoing pipeline integrity through advanced, high-tech inspection tools, and we perform an in-depth integrity management assessment annually.
- The pipeline right-of-way is frequently inspected by foot, vehicle and aerial patrols.
- FSC maintains a robust public awareness program for pipeline stakeholders who are in the affected area of our pipelines. We implement periodic mailing campaigns (brochures, letters and surveys) and perform annual outreach to “first responders” and the construction excavator community. Key stakeholders include:
- Members of the public who live or work near the pipeline (within 660 feet of the pipe centerline (every two years)
- Local public officials in communities that the pipeline crosses (every three years)
- Emergency response officials and affiliated emergency communication/911 centers that have jurisdiction over emergency response in the areas the pipeline crosses (annually)
- Excavators and/or construction contractors that work, or could potentially work, in an area the pipeline crosses (annually)