Time to Go

Good morning. Today will be my last day here at ITS. Many know I have planned retirement, but I am not sure how good I will be at it. Before I leave, I would like to make a few comments for the good of the industry.

1. The oil and gas industry is under attack with so much misinformation out there about how bad our products are.? So many people in the US do not know what other parts of their day-to-day world is touched by oil and gas.? It is time that industry leaders get together and develop a program to show America just what this industry provides folks everyday - medicine, makeup, manufacturing, and wind turbines just to name a few.? Transportation, construction, and living costs will skyrocket.? Taxes that the feds and states have been receiving from the sale of gasoline and diesel will have to be collected somewhere else to maintain/build roads or fund other projects.? I would like to see INGAA, API, APGA, AGA and other associations, along with operators set down and put together a program that really could show the mis-informed here in America about our industry, Rob Darden of the Distribution Contractors Association has laid some groundwork for a thorough format.? It takes money to put this together, but I believe that it would be of value for all to contribute.
2. Damage prevention has been and continues to be a huge issue. Since my first day back in August 1991, when a house blew up from second party damage, I have been aware.? It is time that Congress steps up and make this everyone’s responsibility and not have it driven by just the pipeline regulations.? One Call should include anyone who excavates, i.e., state highway departments, railroad companies, county departments, etc...? One Call program enforcement varies across the country, and so does compliance with the law.? Many violators knowingly damage facilities because the $500-1,000 penalty from a state is less expensive that having crews wait for a locate.? Time to get enforcement penalties in place that will prompt compliance. NTSB should take the opportunity to educate Congress to help bring this about.
3. Training has never been more important to this industry and the nation.? So many men and women are retiring and there are companies out there that have not planned for the loss of key long-term employees that have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Many owners have not put resources into training or mentoring, or even hiring in some cases. Workforce backgrounds have drastically changed since the invention of computers and cellphones.? There has been a steady decline of willing able-bodied men and women who can work with their hands and understand fundamental directions. That group is even smaller as the legalization of recreational marijuana has spread across the country.?
4. I had hoped the Operator Qualification rule would have been amended to take the confusion that still exists 25 years since the Final Rule. I hope that PHMSA considers the incorporation by reference ASME B31Q, to raise the bar from what is currently happening in the field by many of the operators and contractors.

People are the most important part of this industry.? After some years, you will probably find out just how small this world is. I have been blessed to work with a number of great folks and appreciate the time spent during inspections, committee meetings, training and consulting conditions.

Be aware, be safe and take care....Warren