Annual Reminder of Natural Gas Pipeline on U of A Campus

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Every year, the university's facilities management team works to notify campus and the Fayetteville community about the natural gas pipeline at the U of A.

The transmission line runs underground on the south side of campus, from Nettleship Street across to the Central Heating Plant on Dickson Street, where it provides natural gas for the university's combustion gas turbine generator.

Incidents with pipelines like the one on the U of A campus are rare, but the facilities management team is responsible for informing those in the vicinity of the pipeline of any potential threats, as well as the preparation and effort that goes in to making sure all scenarios are accounted for.

"Pipelines that are built to current industry standards are really quite safe. Our highest priority is to be sure we operate a safe and reliable gas pipeline," said Scott Turley, associate vice chancellor for facilities management. "However, we also plan and prepare for the unexpected so the appropriate agencies and campus departments would be ready to respond if there was ever an issue."

The information that facilities management sends out to the campus and Fayetteville communities includes a map of where the pipeline runs, emergency protocol and procedures, and what purpose the pipeline achieves.

"We provide public notification at least twice per year, usually at the beginning of each semester to ensure we are able to reach the largest number of people," Turley said. "We also provide annual notification to the neighborhoods around the gas line, public and emergency response officials, as well as the local contracting community, in compliance with pipeline regulatory requirements and to keep everyone informed of our pipeline." 

The pipeline began carrying natural gas in February 2016. It was installed as part of the university's ongoing commitment to meet its sustainability objectives and reduce the campus greenhouse gas footprint.