We, They, Us: A Case Study of Environmental Compliance. The Tuscarora Gas Transmission Project

John A. McCullough

In 1995, the Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company (a partnership of the Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company, a wholly-owned affiliate of Sierra Pacific Resources, and TCPL Tuscarora, a wholly-owned affiliate of TransCanada PipeLines, Ltd.) constructed the 366 km (229-mile) Tuscarora Natural Gas Pipeline Project. The construction of this pipeline set a new standard for environmental compliance programs in the pipeline industry, accomplished amidst a myriad of EIR/EIS mitigation measures, permit conditions, environmental requirements and plans, and a cadre of agency field monitors. The program demonstrated that even a complex project can be constructed successfully and in compliance with the requirements by establishing a strong plan with innovative techniques, and a solid working relationship between the project proponent and federal and state agencies. Tuscarora’s compliance team was staffed by veterans who were well-versed in pipeline compliance programs, and in achieving this success they acknowledge that the Tuscarora Project was the most difficult in their combined years of compliance experience. Their observations and perceptions are incorporated into this review of organization, experience, training, communication, and results.

Keywords: Tuscarora, KEA Environmental, environmental compliance, training, computer reports, inspection, monitoring, communication, pipeline