Salt Lake City leaders are considering an ordinance change that would clear the way for a pair of oil companies to construct a 400-mile pipeline through the state.

Texas-based Holly Corp. and Utah-based Sinclair Transportation Co. want to run the pipeline from North Salt Lake's oil refineries to growing communities in Southern Utah and Nevada.

First, the companies need the Salt Lake City Council to allow the pipeline to run through a 2,300-foot stretch of the city's Lowlands Conservancy Overlay District. It is one of the last pieces needed to complete the UNEV Pipeline.

Utility infrastructure is currently not allowed in the overlay district, an area west of Salt Lake City International Airport and north of I-80. The district was created to promote the public health and safety of residents and downstream drainage areas through the preservation and protection of the city's lakes, ponds, floodplains and wetlands.

"Taking trucks off the highway" and "moving a commodity more efficiently" would be the primary benefits of the pipeline, council policy analyst Russell Weeks said.

Some council members have concerns about the impact of the pipeline on the land.

"In the case of a catastrophic natural event, is this thing going to rupture and cause a toxic spill?" Councilman Luke Garrott asked.

A UNEV official said the pipeline would exceed minimum safety standards. And UNEV has conducted "extensive" environmental studies, officials said.

The pipeline would initially carry about 62,000 barrels each day through a 12-inch pipe buried four feet underground. Maximum capacity could reach 118,000 barrels.

The line would run from North Salt Lake to distribution terminals in Iron County and North Las Vegas.

Salt Lake City's Planning Commission has recommended that the council approve the ordinance change, giving UNEV the conditional-use permit needed for construction.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. July 14.

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