Utah’s population, economy and transportation needs continue to grow. At the same time, demand across the West for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products has grown faster than the region’s existing pipeline network, leaving communities more vulnerable to supply disruptions, higher costs and transportation bottlenecks.

Project Westline Connect is intended to help address these challenges by supporting a more reliable and efficient fuel supply network across the region.

As leaders in HF Sinclair’s Midstream and Rockies business units, we want you to hear directly from us about how we’re approaching this project. Earlier this fall, HF Sinclair began meeting with city, county, state and regulatory authorities about a potential fuels pipeline project in Utah. We are pursuing this project because there is a genuine and time-sensitive need for it.

When refinery outages occur, the state must truck or rail in emergency fuel, typically diesel and jet, from refineries in other states, leading to higher prices at the pump, increased road safety risks and more emissions. This project would address these impacts. Westline Connect will strengthen the resilience of Utah’s energy supply, remove thousands of trucks from the road and help reduce price volatility for consumers and businesses alike. In addition, transporting fuel by pipeline can reduce transportation-related emissions by approximately 90% compared with moving the same volume by truck.

As we’ve shared, our proposed pipeline route under consideration would trace Emigration Canyon, follow the foothills of Salt Lake City and terminate at the existing North Salt Lake Terminal, which we jointly own with Phillips 66. We arrived at this route after extensively studying and evaluating many options. A clear set of criteria was applied: maximizing safety, protecting the surrounding environment and minimizing construction risks.

We understand why a proposed project along existing pipeline corridors that may use easements near homes, watersheds, parks and other valued community places raises questions, and residents deserve specific answers, not general assurances. We believe meaningful engagement begins with listening and understanding concerns. As we’ve met with community stakeholders, we’ve heard questions regarding water protection, earthquake and wildfire preparedness and private property rights. We intend to continue those conversations throughout the public engagement process.

We take water protection seriously, as do the agencies who regulate our industry. Every stage of project planning, construction and operation incorporates safety, environmental stewardship and community protection as core priorities. Pipelines are among the most heavily regulated infrastructure in the country, with safety requirements at the local, state and federal levels. In environmentally sensitive areas, federal regulations (governed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) require additional protective measures and inspection requirements. Westline Connect will be designed and operated in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards, supported by ongoing inspections, maintenance programs and risk-management processes intended to promote safe and reliable operations. Additional protections may include using heavier pipe, adding additional protective coatings and incorporating automatic shut-off valves near sensitive zones. It is also important to note that all pipes are laid below the watershed, utilizing gravity to further lessen the risk of impacts.

With operations across Utah and the Mountain West, and many employees who call Utah home, we understand risks posed by wildfires and earthquakes. Construction planning includes coordination with local agencies, emergency-response preparedness and measures intended to reduce potential fire-related impacts during construction and operation. Pipeline design must also account for seismic considerations. Federal regulations require developers to incorporate flexibility and force management into design, and our emergency preparedness team regularly conducts training and exercises in coordination with local, state and federal regulators and other emergency response partners to prepare for a variety of scenarios.

It’s also important to recognize that refined-products pipelines already operate in and around many metropolitan areas, including Salt Lake City. That reality does not eliminate the need for careful route selection, rigorous engineering and meaningful community engagement.

Where private property may be affected by the proposed route, landowners will be contacted directly and conversations regarding easements, access and potential construction impact will occur before any potential construction actives (activities?) begin. In most cases, the project is expected to utilize existing utilities and infrastructure corridors where possible to minimize disruption.

We believe Utah needs a safe, resilient way to meet its growing energy needs. But we also know that how a project is built matters as much as why it is proposed. Our team lives, works and spends time in the Salt Lake Valley and its canyons. We have a responsibility to protect the places our neighbors — and our own families — value. We will continue listening, answering questions candidly and refining the project as the public process moves forward.

Please visit our website to read more about the project or submit questions at westlineconnect.com.

Jeff Danielson is the vice president of operations for the Rockies region at HF Sinclair.

Will Swoyer is the vice president of commercial Midstream at HF Sinclair.

The authors used AI for a final proofread of their commentary. The words and ideas are their own.

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