Pipeline emergency preparedness in Nebraska: Identifying interagency preparedness gaps and proposing solutions

Abstract

In Nebraska, there are over 28,000 miles of pipelines that carry various materials, which could impact human health and the natural environment in the event of a leak or spill. Nebraska is heavily reliant on its expansive groundwater supply from the large High Plains aquifer system as well as smaller secondary aquifers. Eighty-eight percent of Nebraska’s population utilizes groundwater for personal use, and the state’s agricultural sector depends on it for irrigation and livestock care. The ongoing challenges facing the implementation of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline system inspired researchers to examine the current state of pipeline emergency preparedness in Nebraska. To do this, a pipeline emergency preparedness workshop was held in November 2021 in Norfolk, Nebraska. Conference participants included county- and regional-level leadership, local public health departments, tribal representatives, and other organizations. Pipeline emergency responders and other stakeholders were invited to listen to plenary presentations about inland oil spill responses and the current state of Nebraska pipelines and to participate in a facilitated discussion identifying pipeline response challenges and potential solutions.

Through a facilitated discussion process, participants identified six general response challenge categories and 24 potential solutions. From those 24 solutions, three were selected as easily implementable solutions—increased joint/coordinated planning, increased pipeline emergency exercising, and increased pipeline emergency training/education. Implementing this work will assist in reducing health risks associated with potential spills.