PCARES - Pipeline Dashboard

PCARES

The United States has over 3 million miles of energy pipelines, forming one of the largest infrastructure networks in the world.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the breakdown includes:

Natural Gas Pipelines: Approximately 3 million miles total, which includes roughly 217,000 miles of interstate transmission pipelines, 89,000 miles of intrastate transmission pipelines, gas gathering/processing lines, and millions of miles of local distribution mains.
Hazardous Liquid, Oil, and Product Pipelines: Roughly 230,000 miles of oil, refined petroleum products, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines

The primary regulated, large-scale utility and hazardous liquid pipeline operators with active systems passing through Placer County are Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Kinder Morgan (SFPP, L.P.).

Because Placer County sits at a critical geographic bottleneck—stretching from the valley floor up through the narrow Donner Pass corridor of the Sierra Nevada—these two operators maintain major infrastructure lines alongside Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

1. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

PG&E is the dominant natural gas pipeline operator in the region, managing both high-pressure long-distance transmission lines and the massive web of localized distribution mains.

Key Assets: PG&E operates major regional transmission corridors across the county, notably Line 123 (a high-pressure steel transmission system built to serve the Sacramento and Sierra divisions) and Lines 406/407, which tie the gas network from Yolo County across to the Roseville area.
Learn More: Customers and residents can look up the proximity of local transmission infrastructure using the PG&E Natural Gas Pipeline Map.

2. Kinder Morgan / SFPP, L.P.

Kinder Morgan is the primary hazardous liquid and petroleum pipeline operator with assets crossing Placer County.

Key Assets: Operated under its subsidiary SFPP, L.P. (Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines), Kinder Morgan runs a major interstate pipeline system through Placer County that transports refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Infrastructure Corridor: This highly critical pipeline runs right through the Sierra Nevada mountains (including areas near Rocklin, Colfax, and up over the Donner Summit toward Nevada). It is considered such a vital commerce asset that Placer County and CAL FIRE frequently coordinate specialized "fuel break" forestry projects specifically to protect this pipeline corridor from wildfire risks.

3. Public Water & Municipal Agencies

While not carrying oil or gas, the county's public agencies operate heavy-duty, large-diameter water transmission pipelines that are structurally similar to energy lines:

Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) and the South Placer Municipal Utility District (SPMUD) manage hundreds of miles of high-volume water mains, sewer interceptors, and gravity-fed raw water bypass tunnels cutting through the Sierra foothills.

California Pipeline Infrastructure

California contains 122,218 total miles of energy pipelines regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The network is predominantly dedicated to natural gas utility delivery.

The state-level infrastructure breaks down into these distinct systems:

Gas Distribution Mains: 102,475 miles supplying localized homes and businesses.
Gas Transmission Lines: 12,414 miles of high-pressure, long-distance transport.
Hazardous Liquids & Petroleum: 6,926 miles moving crude oil, refined petroleum, and products.
Gas Gathering Pipelines: 403 miles collecting raw gas from production wells.

Placer County Infrastructure

At the county level, pipeline mileage is split between local energy transmission managed by utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and vast water transit systems unique to the region:

1. Energy Pipelines: Main transmission corridors cross through Placer County, such as PG&E's Line 123. This major natural gas asset consists of 12-inch high-pressure steel pipelines feeding the Sacramento and Sierra divisions.
2. Water Pipelines & Supply Networks: Due to the geography of the Sierra Foothills, water infrastructure plays a massive pipeline role here. The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) operates 654 miles of treated water pipelines, a 24-mile gravity-driven mountain tunnel system, and a network of over 170 miles of open water canals.
3. Inter-Agency Projects: Ongoing reliability projects add to this local footprint, such as the active 14-mile raw water pipeline connection constructed between PCWA and the City of Roseville to reinforce the local drought supply.

Pipeline markers are the most important visual signpost for identifying underground utility corridors. Because pipelines are buried underground, these highly visible markers are placed at key intervals—like road crossings, railroad tracks, and property fences—to trace the general path of the line.

Here is exactly how to read the information printed on a standard pipeline marker:

1. The Warning Word

What it looks like: A bold, high-visibility header at the top of the sign.
What it means: It indicates the level of hazard. You will typically see "WARNING," "CAUTION," or "DANGER."

2. The Product Being Transported

What it looks like: A clear text label just below the warning sign.
What it means: It tells you exactly what substance is moving through the pipe beneath your feet.
Common examples: "Petroleum Pipeline," "Natural Gas," "Highly Volatile Liquid," or "Crude Oil."

3. The Operator Name

What it looks like: The official company name or corporate logo.
What it means: This identifies the specific company responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and servicing that section of the line. In Placer County, for instance, you would typically see "PG&E" or "Kinder Morgan (SFPP)" printed here.

4. The Emergency Contact Number

What it looks like: A toll-free, 24/7 telephone number.
What it means: This is a direct line to the operator's leak response and control center. If you ever smell gas, hear a hissing sound, or accidentally strike a line, you call this specific number immediately to alert the engineers who can remotely shut off the valves.

5. The "Call 811" Logo

What it looks like: A small "811" dig safely logo, often accompanied by the phrase "Call Before You Dig."
What it means: A reminder that federal and state laws require you to dial 811 to have underground utilities marked before doing any digging or construction on a property.

⚠️ Two Critical Warning Rules to Remember

Markers do not show exact location: Pipeline markers only show the approximate location of a pipeline. Never assume the pipe runs in a perfectly straight line between two markers, or that it is buried at a specific depth.
Do not rely on markers alone: Pipelines often exist in areas without any visible markers at all. Always use the 811 system before breaking ground.

Pipeline markers come in a few common styles, but they all feature high-contrast colors—usually bright yellow for gas or petroleum—and follow a standardized structural layout.

Common Marker Styles

The Round Bullet/Dome Post: A tall, cylindrical yellow plastic post anchored directly into the ground. The warning information is printed vertically down the sides of the post.
The Flat Slatted Post: A flat fiberglass or metal post. These are frequently used along property lines, fences, and rural right-of-ways.
The Traditional Metal Sign: A standard rectangular or round metal sign mounted to a sturdier metal fence U-post, often used where lines cross major roads or railways.

Standardized Colors by Utility Type

While energy lines default to bright yellow, the utility industry uses a universal color-coding system for other types of underground pipelines:

🟡 Yellow: Natural Gas, Oil, Petroleum, or Gaseous Materials.
🔵 Blue: Potable (Drinking) Water Lines.
🟢 Green: Sewer and Drain Systems.
🟠 Orange: Telecommunications, Fiber Optics, and Traffic Cables.

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