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Public Service Safety Message

Aria Energy, LLC (585) 948-8580

For additional information regarding pipeline safety

Call or write to us @
2999 Judge Road
Oakfield, New York 14125

America's pipeline industry maintains an enviable record of safety and reliability. Pipelines are by far the safest means of transportation today. The purpose of our pipeline is to provide safe, dependable, landfill gas to our customer, Norman M. Cole Jr., Pollution Control Plant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, despite strict federal oversight and the conscientious efforts of companies like Aria Energy, hazards do exist and emergencies, though infrequent, can occur. Statistics show that the majority of pipeline damage is caused by third parties (construction contractors, property owners, excavators, etc.) digging near buried pipelines. Damage to a pipeline, such as scratches, gouges, creases, dents, and the cutting of tracer wire or tracer tape installed along with polyethylene plastic should be reported to Aria Energy. Third-party damage can be prevented by using a local excavation notification system known as 811 One-Call and it’s FREE!

In Virginia, the law requires anyone planning to dig or excavate near an underground pipeline to notify the 811 One-Call Center two working days (48 hours) prior to beginning excavation activities. The One-Call center will notify member utilities that operate buried facilities in the area. A utility representative will determine if the project is near underground facilities and dispatch someone to the work site to clearly mark the route and location of buried cables and/or pipelines. Please be sure to call 811 before you dig in Virginia.

For public-safety reasons, most pipelines are buried several feet underground. To make pipelines easier to locate and identify, Aria Energy has installed markers near roads and highways, at railroad and water crossings and at other locations along our rights of way. These markers show a pipeline's approximate location and provide emergency-contact telephone numbers and product transported. Not all buried lines have markers. Therefore, prior to performing excavating activities as simple as planting a tree, installation of landscaping, building a fence, installing a swimming pool or installation of a mailbox, contact 811 before you dig. A few examples of markers are shown below.

PHMSA (Pipeline & Hazardous Material Safety Administration) imposes rigorous standards for pipeline design, construction, maintenance, testing and operation. Aria Energy’s policies and procedures are designed to meet and, in most cases, exceed these standards. Our commitment to safety begins before a pipeline is built or expanded. We build safety into our system by:

• carefully researching and planning the safe construction or planned maintenance of each project;

• using pipe that is inspected and tested at the factory to comply with both federal and industry standards;

• using corrosive resistant polyethylene plastic piping

• inspecting the integrity of the pipe during construction and maintenance activities;

• testing the finished or repaired pipeline at pressures higher than normal operating pressure before it's placed into service or back into service.

Aria Energy controls and monitors the safety of its system in several ways, including: routinely patrolling our pipeline route on the ground to inspect for leakage and identify potential problems and assist in preventing third-party excavation damage. Other maintenance of facilities including:

• over-pressure protection devices inspections

• advising periodically, state and local emergency officials to review accident-prevention and emergency-response procedures

LANDFILL GAS LEAKS RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE

Landfill gas pipeline leaks or failures are rare, but an informed public can help prevent emergencies and minimize potential damage or injury in the unlikely event of an accident by knowing how to recognize and report pipeline problems.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A LEAK

The following signs may indicate a landfill gas pipeline leak or failure:

• SIGHT—A dense fog or mist. Bubbling in water and creeks or blowing dust and discolored or dying vegetation.

• SMELL— Landfill Gas has a characteristically organic odor. Landfill gas, which is becoming a popular source of natural gas alternative fuel, has a more pungent and unpleasant odor similar to the smell of rotting garbage

• SOUND—Whistling, hissing, or roaring noise.

What NOT to Do…

Do NOT touch, breathe, or make contact with the leak.

DO NOT light a match, turn on or off light switches, use a home phone or cell phone or do anything that may create a spark.

DO NOT attempt to extinguish any landfill gas fire.

DO NOT attempt to operate any valves.

What to DO…

DO leave the home, building or area of any suspected leak.

DO call Aria Energy and 911 once safely out of the area.

DO Warn others to stay out of the area.

IN THE EVENT YOU SMELL GAS, FROM A SAFE DISTANCE CALL 911 THEN CALL US AT (586) 533-1871