Two statutes provide the framework for the Federal pipeline safety program. The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 as amended (NGPSA) authorizes the Department to regulate pipeline transportation of natural (flammable, toxic, or corrosive) gas and other gases as well as the transportation and storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Similarly, the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 as amended (HLPSA) authorizes the Department to regulate pipeline transportation of hazardous liquids (crude oil, petroleum products, anhydrous ammonia, and carbon dioxide). Both of these Acts have been recodified as 49 U.S.C. Chapter 601.

The Federal pipeline safety regulations (1) assure safety in design, construction, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance of pipeline facilities and in the siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of LNG facilities; (2) set out parameters for administering the pipeline safety program; and (3) delineate requirements for onshore oil pipeline response plans. The regulations are written as minimum performance standards. The regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 190-199:

190 -- Enforcement procedures
191 -- Natural gas reporting requirements
192 -- Natural gas
193 -- Liquefied natural gas
194 -- Response plans for onshore oil pipelines
195 -- Hazardous liquids
198 -- State grants
199 -- Drug and alcohol testing

OPS is authorized to reimburse a state agency up to 80 percent of the actual cost for carrying out its pipeline safety program, including the cost of personnel and equipment. The actual amount of Federal reimbursement depends upon the availability of appropriated funds and state program performance. The formula used to allocate funds includes performance factors such as extent to which the state asserts safety jurisdiction over pipeline operators, whether the state has adopted all federal requirements, and number and qualifications of state pipeline safety inspectors. OPS monitors the performance of the state agencies participating in the pipeline safety program through its regional offices.

Lists of Grants for States Participating in the Federal/State Pipeline Safety Programs:

OPS also provides grant funding to our State Partners to improve communication among excavators and owners of underground facilities. The PIPES Act of 2006 also authorizes grants to State authorities, designated by the Governor, to create or augment effective State damage prevention programs. For more information:

Achieving operator compliance with the pipeline safety regulations is critical to preventing accidents. A major aspect of compliance involves regular inspections of pipeline facilities and, in the event of a violation of the regulations, imposition of an appropriate administrative, civil, or criminal remedy. Federal and State pipeline inspectors perform standard, follow-up, drug, and construction inspections of pipeline operators. These inspectors also conduct accident investigations and respond to public complaints concerning pipeline operations.

OPS regional offices inspect interstate pipeline systems and intrastate facilities under direct Federal jurisdiction to determine operator compliance with pipeline safety regulations. These facilities include certain municipal and master meter gas systems that by State law are not subject to State regulation or intrastate pipelines in States where the state agency is not participating in the program.

OPS information system program enters reported information in the data base and analyzes incident, pipeline inventory, and operator data to enhance OPS, States, and industry's ability to assess problems in pipeline safety operations and determine the benefits of introducing new safety actions to prevent incidents or lessen damage when incidents cannot be avoided. These data largely come from accident/safety-related condition reports submitted by gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators and annual reports submitted by gas pipeline operators which include information on miles and types of pipelines.

OPS and their State partners regularly participate in joint government-industry-public committees and task forces to discuss and address concerns related to risk management, compliance, emerging technology, damage prevention, and environmental protection. Current initiatives include:

• The Risk Management Demonstration Program
• The Local Distribution Company Feasibility Study
• Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committees
• Best Practices for One-Call Centers
• The National Pipeline Mapping System (GIS)