Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who should I call with questions about the general operation of Heartland Gas Pipeline?
   Citizens Gas Underground Gas Storage Department operates the Heartland Gas Pipeline. General operational questions should be directed to (812) 875-2066. Business inquiries should be directed to ProLiance Energy at (812)-492-6781.
    
2. Are natural gas pipelines safe?
   Yes. Pipelines are the safest way to transport energy, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Citizens Gas, whose personnel will operate Heartland, has an outstanding record for safely operating various energy facilities, including natural gas storage and oil production facilities in Greene County.
    
3. What is an easement or right-of-way?
   An easement is a legal right of a non-owner to use a portion of the property for a specific and limited purpose. The holder of the easement retains the use of the land in perpetuity for its pipeline. If the property is sold, the rights and responsibilities under the easement pass unchanged to the new owner.
    
4. Where can I find the easement(s) that affects my property?
   The place to start would be in the Real Property Records Department (typically, in the Recorder's Office) in the county where the property is located. Some information also may be located within the paperwork at the time you purchased the property.
      
5. What are the yellow markers on pipeline rights-of-way and why are they located where they are?
   The yellow posts located within the easement area are pipeline marker posts. The markers provide only the general location of pipelines and important contact information for the company. The marker or sign does not mark the exact location of the pipe. Line markers cannot be relied on to provide information on depth or number of lines in the area. It is against the law for any person to willfully and knowingly deface or destroy a pipeline marker or sign.
    
6. Once the pipeline is built, whom do I call to locate the pipeline on my property?
   By State Law, to have the underground facilities located, you must call the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service at (800) 382-5544. You should call a t least 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, before you begin any digging activities within the easement area. IUPPS will notify the appropriate Heartland personnel who are responsible for locating the facilities within their area. Examples of activities requiring advanced approval are operating any power operated excavation equipment or explosives within 100 feet of the easement area, digging across the right-of-way, utilizing the right-of-way as a logging road or loading area or operating vehicles in off-road areas across the right-of-way.
    
7. Why must Heartland maintain clear rights-of-way?
   Heartland maintains clear rights-of-way to ensure that its operations remain as safe as possible. Heartland must have unrestricted entry and access to all of its facilities at all times for regular maintenance or during emergency situations. A clear right-of-way provides easy identification and monitoring of the pipeline facilities, which is imperative in preventing third-party damage. Trees and large shrubs obstruct the view for foot patrols and aerial inspections, which are routine procedures for maintaining the rights-of-way. Tree roots also create a danger to the coating that protects the pipeline from corrosion.
    
8. What is an encroachment?
   Typically, Heartland allows the property owner to use the easement area within certain guidelines established by Heartland or as specified within the easement agreement. These guidelines generally allow the property owner to continue with any agricultural, recreational or other activities that pose no problem or threat to the long-term integrity of the pipeline. Generally, the only restricted uses by the property owner would be the construction of a permanent structure and planting trees in the easement area. Landscaping with shrubs will be possible upon approval of the plans by Heartland as long as they don't include excess vegetation, buildings, structures, sheds, fences, decks, patios, swimming pools, roads, driveways, utilities, sprinkler systems, power or telephone poles. To ensure that what you are proposing to build within the easement area is allowable, you should contact Heartland at (812) 875-2066.