{"id":5129,"date":"2014-04-02T08:54:14","date_gmt":"2014-04-02T12:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=5129"},"modified":"2014-04-01T23:02:03","modified_gmt":"2014-04-02T03:02:03","slug":"county-launches-online-communication-pipeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=5129","title":{"rendered":"County launches online communication pipeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

Web site to provide up-to-date information on pipeline locations, projects<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>WEST CHESTER – <\/b>The lines of communication are just as important as the pipelines that traverse area landscapes, a reality that prompted the Chester County Commissioners to launch a web site dedicated to pipeline communication.<\/p>\n

The site, which will give county residents, municipalities and pipeline operators up-to-date information on pipeline locations and proposed projects in Chester County, is called the Pipeline Information Center (PIC) and can be found at www.chescopagreen.org<\/a>, a county news release said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important that we, as a county, help to provide pipeline information to our residents, for public safety and environmental concerns, as well as other communication needs,\u201d said Chester County Commissioners\u2019 Chairman Ryan Costello.\u00a0 \u201cWe have no control over pipeline activity, but this investment reflects our proactive step to be an information resource that protects and assists communities across Chester County.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone agreed. \u201cGovernment at the state, county and local level does not have the authority to regulate pipelines, but we do have the desire to advise and possibly influence pipeline expansion,\u201d said Cozzone. \u201cWhat we also have, through the expertise of our Planning Commission, is the ability to establish a web presence that provides mapping and other resources to give a better understanding of pipelines and their regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The creation of the Pipeline Information Center web site is the result of nearly a year of research, data-gathering and stakeholder input gleaned from public meetings, undertaken as part of the Pipeline Notification Protocol, <\/i>led by the Pipeline Safety Coalition, with support from Chester County Government and East Brandywine Township. The Pipeline Notification Protocol was funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Technical Assistance Grant, the release said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the increase in pipeline activity, it was recognized that there was a need to develop a communications strategy and a resource for information,\u201d said Commissioner Terence Farrell.\u00a0 \u201cThe protocol established by this web site, created in Chester County and initially used by Chester County, may provide a template to be used throughout the state, and ultimately nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Features of the Pipeline Information Center web site include:<\/p>\n