Kern River Gas Transmission Company, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, operates an interstate natural gas pipeline extending from the oil and gas producing fields of southwestern Wyoming, through Utah and southern Nevada, to the San Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield, California. Our system includes approximately 1,700 miles of 36- and 42-inch diameter steel pipe and 11 automated compressor stations spread across four states. The compressor units at these stations have a total system compression of approximately 383,500 horsepower. The pipeline currently has a design capacity of 2.17 billion cubic feet per day. Our fully automated real-time pipeline is controlled from the gas control center in Salt Lake City. Our gas controllers can monitor what is flowing through the pipeline at the exact time it is flowing. Kern River is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
History
The Kern River pipeline has been carrying natural gas into Utah, Nevada and California since February 1992. Before Kern River, there was a huge need for an economical and reliable source of clean-burning fuel in the Southern California and Las Vegas areas. Extending approximately 1,700 miles from the gas producing fields in Wyoming to Bakersfield, California, Kern Rivers system delivers 2.17 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to customers. Kern River is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Envirronoment
- Kern River, along with other Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries, believes responsible environmental management is good business; it benefits our customers and improves the quality of the environment in which we live. Our policy establishes the environmental RESPECT principles that guide our corporate commitment to the environment.
- All levels of management are responsible for integrating environmental management programs into business processes in order to measure and improve environmental performance. All employees are responsible and accountable for understanding and incorporating environmental compliance requirements into their daily work activities with the obligation to bring issues and concerns forward for resolution.
- We will responsibly use natural resources and pursue increased efficiencies that reduce waste and emissions at their source. We will develop sustainable operations and implement environmental projects designed to leave a clean, healthy environment for our children and future generations.
- We will respect our natural resources and take care in balancing the needs of customers with our obligation to future generations. We will seek opportunities to preserve, restore, protect and improve our natural surroundings.
- We will set challenging goals and assess our ability to continually improve our environmental performance. Through the strategic management of our assets, we will improve the environment and contribute to our business success.
- We will perform audits to evaluate our environmental compliance and use the results to improve our operations and their impact on the environment.
- We will foster open dialogue and informed decision-making through communication of environmental information with management, employees and the public. We will work with governments and others in creating responsible environmental laws and regulations reflective of sound public policy.
- We will provide the training necessary for our employees to perform their environmental responsibilities. We will encourage and provide opportunities for employees to learn more about the environment and foster an atmosphere of creating cost-effective solutions that go beyond compliance.
At Kern River we believe:
- Safety is integral to our companys performance – its how we do business.
- Safe and healthy employees are our most valuable resource.
- All injuries are preventable and we must continually strive for zero accidents.
- Management, from the top down, is fundamentally responsible for safety leadership.
- Every employee is responsible and accountable for safety.
- All employees are empowered to take immediate, corrective action toward any unsafe work practice or condition.
- Facilities must be designed, constructed and maintained with safety in the forefront.
- Safety must not be compromised for any reason; no job is so important or service so urgent that safety will be compromised.
- The safety education of all employees is essential to the success of our safety program and our business.
- We must continuously evaluate our facilities, policies and actions to ensure the safety of employees, implementation of recognized best practices, and compliance with federal and state regulations.
Integrity Management
Kern River has a strong tradition of providing reliable natural gas service while ensuring the safety of the public and our employees. Kern Rivers Integrity Management Program was developed in compliance with the safety initiatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation to supplement Kern Rivers normal maintenance practices to ensure safety and reliability along all sections of the pipeline.
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