Shawn took on a mega-corporation to protect Wilsonville
As Shawn got to know his Wilsonville neighborhood in 2008, he saw yellow warning markers identifying the location of a petroleum pipeline that ran through his community. He observed that the pipeline was traveling through schools and densely populated residential areas and crossed under the Willamette River upstream from the Wilsonville Water Treatment Plant. Today, the pipeline is adjacent and/or runs under:
Back in 2014, an exposed high-pressure petroleum pipeline at Wilsonville daycare was unprotected, posing a possible threat to kids and neighbors.
Rivergreen neighborhood
Fox Chase neighborhood
Morey’s Landing
Inza R. Wood Middle School’s athletic field
Lowrie Primary School is within 100 yards of pipeline
Hazel Wood community
Merryfield community
Villebois
Shawn investigated and discovered that the pipeline, officially referred to as the Santa Fe Petroleum Pipeline (SFPP), is owned by Kinder Morgan, a energy infrastructure conglomerate with its corporate headquarters located in Houston, Texas.
The SFPP designation covers a pipeline system that travels within several Western States. The Oregon portion is approximately 115 miles and travels from Portland near the St. John's Bridge to Eugene. As of 2024, the Pipeline is now over 62 years old.
When Shawn asked local residents and some key public officials about the pipeline, he heard variations of these types of responses:
"I didn't know it existed"
"It has always been there”
"We are not responsible for it"
Shawn then contacted Kinder Morgan and various government institutions, inquiring about the Pipeline. He also educated himself on the government hierarchy surrounding the Pipeline oversight, safety and emergency response.
As a result of Shawn's investigation and research, he has collected a great deal of information from various sources, which he makes available to Wilsonville residents and community at large. By providing this information it is Shawn's hope that it will help the communities along the 115-mile Pipeline to become more educated about the Pipeline, Pipeline safety, and what they can do to help their own communities. Shawn's investigation has been going on since 2014 and he continues to provide updates.
In 2024: That same exposed valve shown above is now secured and monitored for a safer Wilsonville thanks to Shawn’s advocacy and neighbors speaking up.
2024 updates
In February of this year, Shawn was contacted by Villebois residents that Kinder Morgan repairs are continuing now in their neighborhood. This has been happening over the last several weeks.
In July, Shawn went out to the green space between Morey’s Landing and Rivergreen neighborhoods this morning to observe that Kinder Morgan’s contractor, Michels, had dug up a portion of the pipeline to institute additional repairs. This may be related to the electronic monitoring equipment that was observed near the area a few weeks ago. As indicated by Shawn in earlier posts, all active efforts to improve the integrity of the 62-year-old pipeline are welcome. Shawn is grateful for all the neighbors who provide him with information concerning the pipeline and Kinder Morgan’s activities.
“As your Mayor, I’ll continue to watch out for our community and ensure we all can enjoy this amazing place we call home.”
Shawn O’Neil
