Our Commitment to Pipeline Safety

Rhode Island Energy has proactively implemented a formal Pipeline Safety program based on API RP 1173. This element-based framework allows us to manage pipeline safety risk and compliance issues.

The federal government has designated some pipeline segments as High Consequence Areas (HCAs). To ensure their safety, these HCAs utilize hazard assessment and prevention programs called Integrity Management Programs.  

Rhode Island Energy's Integrity Management Program (IMP) was developed based on rules created by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and local state regulatory agencies. The IMP meets or exceeds all federal requirements to continuously improve safety by identifying, assessing, and managing risks to natural gas pipelines. 

At Rhode Island Energy, we’re committed to the safe operation of our natural gas facilities, including pipelines. Here’s how we maintain safety and efficiency:

• Continue to build upon our already extensive integrity management programs to meet or exceed new federal IMP regulations 
• Identified pipelines in the IMP to federal and state regulators 
• Use the best technologies available to continually assess pipeline integrity through leakage surveys, monitoring of our corrosion prevention technologies and other such programs 
• Use up to three different assessment methods to assure that we identify any areas of concern, which are prioritized and managed according to established and approved engineering practices 
• Use damage prevention methods that include ongoing patrols, construction inspection, periodic reassessments and active participation in state-wide damage prevention programs 
• Implement communications plans that have been developed to inform and educate the public, emergency responders and other officials about gas pipelines, their safety and integrity, and how all parties can contribute to even greater gas pipeline safety

Which pipes will be inspected, and what’s involved? 

The person completing the inspection will: 

• Gain access and visually inspect the jurisdictional piping 
• Use a calibrated gas Instrument to detect any leaks

Why do these inspections need to be completed? 

Local Distribution Companies are now obligated to perform periodic leak surveys and visual atmospheric corrosion inspections in accordance with federal and state code requirements. 

Am I required to provide access to my property? 

Yes, these inspections are required by the Rhode Island State Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC).
Per the RIPUC:

Buildings may be entered for the examination of meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works. 
(a) Any officer or agent of any gas corporation, electric corporation or municipality for that purpose duly appointed and authorized by the corporation, upon exhibiting a photo-identification badge and a written authority signed by the president or vice-president and secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation, or by the mayor or clerk of a municipal corporation or by the chairman and secretary of a municipal board in control of a public utility, may enter, at all reasonable times, any store, building, room or place supplied with gas, electricity or water by such utility corporation or municipality for the purpose of inspecting and examining the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works for supplying or regulating the supply of gas or electricity and of ascertaining the quantity of gas or electricity supplied. 
(b) If any person, at any time, directly or indirectly, shall prevent or hinder any such officer or agent from so entering any such premises, or from making any such inspection or examination at any reasonable time, he or she shall forfeit to the corporation or municipality one hundred dollars for every such offense.

What if the inspection fails? 

If the inspection fails due to damage that occurred naturally, Rhode Island Energy will make repairs at no charge to the customer.

What is atmospheric corrosion? 

The gradual destruction or alteration of a metal or alloy by contact with substances present in the atmosphere, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and sulfur and chlorine compounds. 

Excess flow valve (EFV) notification 

Customers may request the installation of an excess flow valve (EFV) at no cost.  An EFV is a safety device that slows the flow of natural gas in the event of a service line break. An EFV is not required for the normal operation of your gas line. In fact, you may already have an EFV installed. Certain conditions must exist for this installation. For more information, please email RISales@rienergy.com or call 1-855-743-1106. 

Federal regulation 49 C.F.R. §192.383(d) regarding gas pipeline safety requires Rhode Island Energy to notify customers of their right to request installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on their existing gas service line under certain circumstances. An EFV is a mechanical safety device installed inside a gas service line between the gas main in the street and the gas meter. The EFV is designed to minimize the flow of natural gas in the event of a service line break. If an excavator accidentally digs up the gas service line, the valve minimizes or shuts off the flow of gas. 

EFV installation 

If the customer’s service line operates at a pressure of less than 10 pounds per square inch gauge throughout the year, the customer’s service line is exempt from EFV installation. 

Customers with loads of 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas per hour (“SCFH”) or less are eligible for an EFV unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) the customer’s service line operates at a pressure of less than 10 pounds per square inch gauge throughout the year, (2) the gas company has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV’s operation or cause loss of service to a customer; (3) there is potential for interference with necessary operation or maintenance activities, such as blowing liquids from the line; or (4) an EFV meeting the performance standards set forth in the federal regulations is not commercially available to the gas company. 

EFVs do not operate on all gas service lines and certain parameters may exist where installation of an EFV is not warranted. Many customers already have an EFV installed on their existing service line. If you would like to determine if you are eligible to have an EFV installed on your gas service line, please email RISales@rienergy.com or call 1-855-743-1106.