Page 15 - Arkansas 811 Magazine 2022 Issue 3

all other states and ranks 42nd among them, indicating that it is a low-performing state compared to others.
c. The frequency of Poor Instructions and Extensive Contractor Wait are both rated as occurring daily and fall into the 4th Quartile.
4. Unbalanced 811 Board
a. The board is currently made
up of 12 participants, including
11 utilities/asset owners and 1 excavator. The board can fluctuate in size, and is an appropriate size but does not have a well-balanced stakeholder representation.
5. 2014, 2017-2019, and 2019/2020 PHMSA Assessments
a. 2014 PHMSA Statewide Damage Prevention Programs Assessment – one element was rated as “Program Element Partially Implemented/Not Fully Developed.”
b. 2019 PHMSA Gas State Program Evaluation – rating of 98.9 out
of 100. Points deducted from the “Program Performance” section.
c. 2020 PHMSA State Damage Prevention Enforcement Program Assessment - rating of “qualified adequate.” The following topics were highlighted:
i. PHMSA expects state enforcement programs to be balanced with regard to how they apply enforcement authority.
ii. In CY 2019, Arkansas’ gas distribution operators reported a total of 1,681 excavation damages to their pipeline facilities in
the annual reports submitted
to PHMSA. Of these 1,681 excavation damages, 635 were attributed to pipeline operators for not having complied with their responsibilities in accordance with the Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention
Act. The Arkansas Public Service Commission issued 549 warning letters in CY 2019, but only four of those letters were issued to the operators.
iii. Trends have shown that operators are responsible for approximately 37 percent
of excavation damages to distribution gas pipelines but receive less than one percent of the enforcement actions.
Publisher’s observation:
Progress is being made in Arkansas and the PHMSA audit reflects
the progress with the rating of “adequate.” However, to take
the program to the next level, stakeholders (all stakeholders) must get involved in this critical discussion.
As you consider this assessment and recommendations, you conclude
one of two things. The evaluation of our damage prevention program is wrong and should remain as is or it is accurate and needs to change.
Recognizing the need to change
is the first step. The second step
is accepting responsibility for our behaviors. The third step is knowing the desired behaviors. What’s the next step, Arkansas?
We’re waiting for your answer... If not us, who? If not now, when?
Call 811
before you dig.
QUALITY PROTECTS.
2022, Issue 3 Arkansas 811 Magazine • 13