Environmental Impact of 25 Years of Trans-Alaska Pipeline Operation

摘要

In 2001, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) owners produced a comprehensive analysis of the impacts associated with the renewal of the TAPS rights-of-way. The resulting report, Environmental Report for the Trans Alaska Pipeline System Right-of-Way Renewal, (TAPS Owners, 2001) described the physical, biological, and socio-economic impacts of right-of-way renewal ―and of non-renewal. The Environmental Report followed the guidelines of the Council on Environmental Quality for preparing environmental impact statements (EISs). Since projections of future impact of TAPS operation closely follow post-construction impacts since 1977, an assessment of the impact of 25 years of operation of a warm oil pipeline in cold regions can be described. This paper reviews the results of the report with special emphasis on physical impacts. Because the pipeline system has been in continuous operation since 1977 and is under stringent regulatory controls, its effects on the physical environment ―terrestrial, air quality, and water quality ―are known to be relatively minor and can reasonably be expected to continue without significant change. Justification for predictions of low impact can be summarized in the following conclusions: 1. The TAPS pipeline and related facilities already exist with known, observable impacts; 2. Major changes to the pipeline system or to the affected physical environment are not expected; 3. New surface-disturbance areas associated with TAPS will be small and isolated; 4. There would be no unavoidable adverse effect on the physical environment that would not be mitigated to the extent technically feasible; 5. Declining throughput could result in lower emissions and discharges affecting air and water quality.