Page 16 - LA811

Enforcement Updates
Greg Galle has been a familiar part of PAL meetings, Digger’s Nights Out, Conferences,
and other pipeline industry events since coming on board with the Office of Conservation in 2016. Prior
to that, Greg spent twenty-six years
in law enforcement, retiring from
the Louisiana Department of Justice, where he served as an investigator
and Special Assistant to the Attorney General. A recent organizational revamp by Pipeline Division Director Steven Giambrone has found Greg in his newest role – that of Conservation Program Manager in the Damage Prevention Section.
Greg’s time in law enforcement and
in the private sector as a National Corporate Compliance Manager for
one of the country’s largest private security firms has prepared him for this leadership role. According to Greg, his greatest asset in this new role is the support from senior management.
This move comes during a time of growth as the Damage Prevention Section is preparing to add another agent in North Louisiana in order to strengthen enforcement in that area. In
addition to Greg’s new duties, he will continue to provide service in the Southeast part of our State. To greater enhance compliance, all other agents of the Pipeline Division supplement the Damage Prevention Section as needed.
While enforcement action is thought to be punitive in nature, using fines and penalties to correct non-compliance, Greg believes that the first component of enforcement is education. Enforcement begins with getting damage prevention information out to the various stakeholders. This is accomplished through
the various industry meetings
and conferences that take place, by word of mouth, and through the efforts of Louisiana 811. Louisiana 811 has a wealth of information and training available at louisiana811.com that fortifies the compliance efforts. There
are still some folks who either just can’t get it right, don’t believe that the laws pertain to them, or just don’t follow laws. For these individuals and companies, the Dig Law provides for fines that can range up to $200,000 per day per violation.
The impetus behind all of the compliance and enforcement efforts is safety. This job, according to Greg, “allows me
to see the fruits of my labor, as non-compliant excavators begin conforming, and damages are curtailed.” While Louisiana remains one of the top states in the country in terms of pipeline mileage, we have also maintained safety with those assets. Safety
is everyone’s concern and responsibility. Anyone with knowledge of unsafe excavation practices or a violation of the dig law can contact the Damage Prevention via a toll-free hotline at 1-833-726-0410 or by email
to pipelineinspectors@la.gov. Information on the Section’s efforts can be found on the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation website.
14 • Louisiana 811 2023, Issue 4