• To build a pipeline that strengthens Minnesota's energy future
  
• To communicate openly with neighbors
  
• To exceed safety and environmental standards

The safety of people and protection of the environment are Minnesota Pipe Line Company’s top priorities.

Our expectation is that the MinnCan Project will be built and operated with zero accidents, zero violations, and zero unplanned releases to the environment. To meet this expectation, Minnesota Pipe Line Company (MPL) will take the necessary measures to ensure we meet company standards and government regulations for environmental, health and safety protection.

As part of these efforts, we’ve added some information about snowmobile safety near MinnCan Project construction areas this winter. 

Building the pipeline

MinnCan Project team members are personally committed to “10,000% regulatory compliance” – which means 100% of the team complying with 100% of the rules and regulations on every site, in every vehicle, all of the time. Minnesota Pipe Line Company selected contractors for the MinnCan Project based on their ability to meet our stringent requirements for health, safety, and environmental stewardship. Each contractor has completed assessments to ensure their compliance with Minnesota OSHA regulations; federal OSHA regulations; Gopher State One Call rules; state and federal departments of transportation regulations; and company environmental, health and safety standards.

Prior to construction, we conducted thorough Health and Safety Program training with our project personnel to ensure a safe, successful project. During construction, safety audits and spot checks will be performed at random to ensure that crew members’ activities are in full compliance. Employees must continually meet program expectations.

Another key to ensuring safety on the MinnCan Project is through leadership. While safety is the responsibility of each crew member, safety managers and the on-site crew foreman take the lead.

Well before any construction takes place, the project team has coordinated with Gopher State One Call to identify underground utility lines. For landowners, this means that Minnesota Pipe Line Company has identified the lines on your property. However, we ask you to use this free service before you dig anywhere on your property.

Minnesota Pipe Line Company also has plans in place to address environmental issues related to agricultural lands, wetlands, waterbodies, and erosion:

• Agricultural Impact Mitigation Plan
• Wetland and Waterbody Crossing Procedures
• Erosion Control Plan

Operating the pipeline

Once the pipeline is constructed and prior to beginning operations, we will test the pipe to ensure its integrity. Our measures include hydrostatic testing, in which water is run through the pipe at a pressure that is higher than our operating pressure.

Then, once the pipeline is operational, we will maintain our focus on safety and environmental stewardship. To support our goal of zero safety incidents, zero releases to the environment, and regulatory compliance, Minnesota Pipe Line Company developed an Integrity and Reliability Program that addresses pipeline monitoring, corrosion prevention, excavation damage prevention, inspections, emergency response, public awareness, and more.

People who live along the existing MPL system are already familiar with our integrity-protecting measures, such as aerial patrols, hydrostatic tests, and pipeline safety brochure mailings.

Prior to the operation of the new pipeline, these measures will be implemented including a mailing of Minnesota Pipe Line Company’s pipeline safety brochure to residents, businesses, local public officials and emergency response agencies.

This brochure provides information which helps our pipeline neighbors know:

• How to help prevent pipeline damage,
• How to recognize a pipeline’s location,
• What to do if one notices suspicious activity near a pipeline or suspect pipeline damage and;
• How to recognize, report and respond to a pipeline emergency.

To see or request a copy of the current MPL Pipeline Safety Brochure, please click here.

For additional information about the Integrity and Reliability Program, please see our Safety and Environmental Stewardship Fact Sheet.

Along with meeting our own standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, acting through the federal Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) oversees and regulates pipeline systems throughout the design, construction, maintenance and operational phases. The U.S. OPS and the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MN OPS) inspectors regularly evaluate Minnesota Pipe Line Company’s diligence in meeting regulatory requirements, conducting proper inspections, and making any repairs.