Media Advisory

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

WHAT

The Alamo Improvement Association and the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission will host two forums to discuss safety, oversight and other information for residents who live near petroleum pipelines in the county.

WHO:

The forums include speakers from the national not-for-profit Pipeline Safety Trust, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Kinder Morgan, the company operating petroleum pipelines throughout Contra Costa County including one in the Iron Horse Trail Corridor in southern Contra Costa.

Michael Kent, the county's Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, will facilitate a question-and-answer panel for attendees at both forums.

WHEN:

Wednesday, June 3 and Saturday, June 6.

WHERE:

Alamo: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 3 at Creekside Community Church, 1350 Danville Boulevard.

Martinez: 10 a.m. to noon on June 6 at the Contra Costa County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., in the Board of Supervisors chamber.

WHY:

Miles of pipeline carrying gasoline, diesel and even jet fuel run just a few feet beneath some of Contra Costa County's busiest streets and trails. The forums are intended to help residents learn about them and stay safe.

Topics will include an overview of the regulatory framework for petroleum pipelines, including maintenance and inspection requirements, common causes of incidents, community resources for finding information and communicating with regulatory agencies, and strategies for reducing risk.

The meetings are part of a greater public education campaign funded by a $50,000 grant obtained by the Alamo Improvement Association from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

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