S p e c i a l F e a t u r e
A L T E R N A T I V E E N E R G Y
homeowners are looking for ways
to reduce their energy bills. "Also,
places such as the City of Nanaimo
are considering building subsidized
low-cost housing that meet passive
energy standards, in order to incur less
operating costs," he says.
Finally, as popular as renewable energy
may be, pipelines carrying hydrocarbon-
based fuel unquestionably represent the
bulk of B.C.'s energy future, and when
asked how they will fit into a green-minded
economy, Patrick Smyth, VP, safety &
engineering for the Canadian Energy
Pipeline Association (
CEPA), replies, "By
us ensuring that we'll be best-in-class in
terms of exceeding the most stringent
regulatory requirements and maintaining
transparency in all that we do."
CEPA represents Canada's
transmission pipeline companies, and
its 12 members transport 97 per cent
of our natural gas and onshore crude
oil production to markets throughout
Canada and the United States—with
safety being the top priority.
CEPA's recently released 2015 Pipeline
Industry Performance Report reveals
that the sector achieved a 99.9 per
cent safe delivery of crude and natural
gas in 2014; $2.9 billion was invested
in member pipeline monitoring and
maintenance; and 335 emergency
response exercises were conducted.
But, Smyth says, "We want to do even
better than this, so our members recently
committed to a strategy that was inspired
partly by safety initiatives undertaken by
the chemical industry several decades
ago and will make us a hydrocarbon
transportation safety leader."
Smyth is referring to
CEPA Integrity
First, a program whereby industry is
working together to improve regulatory
engagement, transparency and industry
sustainability; improve credibility; and
facilitate the exchange of ideas and best
practices. "Basically, our members came
together and said, 'Under this strategy
your incident is our incident, so we're all
committed to achieving zero incidents,'"
says Smyth. "By holding each other
responsible for their practices, we can
constantly raise the bar on safety—and
hopefully win the public's trust."
Continuous improvement is at the heart of Canada's pipeline industry.
Smart Pipeline Inspection Gauges, or Smart PIGs, are just one powerful
technology that allows operators to detect problems and prevent incidents.
Thanks to innovative technologies, regular inspections and vigilant
24/7 monitoring, Canadian pipelines are built and maintained to last
for decades of safe operation.
Delivering Canada's energy. Every day.
Learn more about pipelines in your life at:
aboutpipelines.com
INNOVATION
To go from a Coal Town
to a Clean Energy Town
is pretty impressive.
In November, Tumbler
Ridge was honoured
by Clean Energy BC as
Community of the Year.
Apparently we were
nominated by so many
people it was hard not
to give us an award!
With that being said,
low taxes, a friendly
environment and
breathtaking scenery
makes Tumbler Ridge
a great place to do
business!
District of Tumbler Ridge.indd 1 15-12-02 10:16 AM
