Environmental Analysis: WAC Rules and Pipeline Project Implications

This report analyzes the impact of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules on pipeline projects, focusing on environmental regulations and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report highlights the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools for locating spills and leakages in pipelines. It examines the Energy Efficiency Standards (EES) and Emission Reduction Requirements (ERR) options available to refineries for compliance, as well as the pros and cons of these regulations. The report also discusses the potential benefits of these rules for the ecological system, including reduced pollution and sustainable measurements, while acknowledging the implementation costs and data privacy concerns associated with these regulations. The study underscores the importance of these regulations in promoting environmental sustainability in the context of pipeline operations.

Running head: WAC Rules 1
WAC Rules on Pipeline Project
Student Name
Institution

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Introduction
More than 15.8 billion gallons of dangerous chemicals and oil are transported to and from
Washington State by the help of large container ships and oil tankers every year. The sea and
fresh water of the state support some of the vital and productive ecosystems in the world. But the
hazardous spill of oil and chemicals in water and on land can be dangerous for a living being in
water as well as on land.
Discussion
To overcome this, the new rule has been implemented by the State of Washington.
According to these rules, all the refineries and chemical factories within the state must limit their
emission of greenhouse gas by the year 2025. State Department of Ecology (DEC) has said that
the regime was adopted WAC Petroleum refinery greenhouse gas emissions on 28th May and the
reasonably available control technology (RACT) was established to limit GHG emissions from
state refineries. Regulatory compliance is compulsory, while by 2025, the new enacted
legislation allows five refineries in Washington to choose one of the options available under the
rule to meet the requirements of reduction in GAG, according to the DEC.
GIS Tools will be used to locate the spill of oils and leakages in pipelines. The pipeline
details include location information for line segments, pipeline control points, block breaks,
pipeline right of the way, prevention structures, safety equipment, block valves, access points
and control stations. Tools must be able to include information of cultural, sensitive natural and
economic areas that will also include the applicable GRP. (Chang, 2008)
EES or Energy Efficiency Standards is the first option where a refinery can demonstrate
their performance of energy efficiency by scoring up to 50% with similar refineries in America.
To demonstrate the performance of energy efficiency, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and

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Northwest Clean Air Agency, which has been accused of enforcing and implementing the new
rule, Solomon EII. According to the DEC circular, the EII scoring system will use efficiency
measures in a plant. Refineries and pipelines agencies will be given the second option by EES to
comply with the new rule, in the case, it failed the requirements. EER or Emission Reduction
Requirement will be the alternative option. Green House Gas reduction need to be implemented
by refineries and pipelines resulting in 10% addition to the reduction of Green House gas
emission by refineries.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
 Will be beneficial for the ecological system, by limiting the pollution or oil spill
and emission of GHG.
 Will force the refineries to adopt sustainable measurements toward the water and
land.
 Locating any Spill or leakage is very time consuming and lots of labor can be
needed in that case. Use of GIS will ease this process.
 Will help in improved decision making
 Will increase efficiency and reduce the cost.
 Easy to keep a record of faults.
Cons:
 Implementation cost can be high.

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 Need lots of Data
 Violation privacy
Bibliography

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Chang, K. T. (2008). Introduction to Geographical Information Systems. McGraw Hill.
Retrieved 2 21, 2018