Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co - Tuscola: Natural Gas Pipeline in Illinois

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co - Tuscola is a natural gas pipeline facility located at 575 E US Hwy 36 in Tuscola, Douglas County, Illinois. The facility is operational and plays a role in the interstate gas transmission system, connecting supply sources to distribution networks in the Midwest. As a gas pipeline regulated by the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under DOT 49 CFR Part 192, the facility adheres to stringent safety standards for design, construction, and operation. The pipeline infrastructure in Illinois is part of a dense network serving industrial, commercial, and residential customers, with typical pipeline diameters and pressures designed for long-distance transport. The facility's location in a rural area near Tuscola minimizes immediate population density risks, though proximity to agricultural lands and waterways requires careful monitoring. Its role in the regional energy grid supports local energy security and economic activity, with ongoing maintenance and cathodic protection systems to ensure integrity.

The facility operates in a region with agricultural land use and proximity to the Kaskaskia River watershed. Pipeline integrity management includes monitoring for corrosion and potential leaks, with PHMSA-mandated inspection programs. The transport of natural gas poses lower acute environmental risk compared to hazardous liquids, but methane leakage remains a concern for greenhouse gas emissions.