PHMSA and the pipeline industry are working to improve the outreach and effectiveness of operator public awareness programs
Regulatory Requirements
Federal pipeline safety regulations require pipeline operators to conduct continuing public awareness programs to provide pipeline safety information to four stakeholder audiences:
- Affected Public
- Emergency Officials
- Local Public Officials
- Excavators
Current regulations require pipeline operators to develop and implement public awareness programs consistent with the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) of 2002 and the guidance provided by the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, "Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators".
Under the regulations, pipeline operators provide the Affected Public with information about how to Recognize, Respond To, and Report pipeline emergencies. The importance of using One-Call notification systems prior to excavation is emphasized for all stakeholders. Emergency Officials and Local Public Officials are provided information about the location of transmission pipelines to enhance emergency response and community growth planning. Operators must review their programs for effectiveness and enhance the programs as necessary.
Operators must include in their programs activities to advise affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of pipeline locations. Of significance is the requirement that operators must review their programs for effectiveness and enhance the programs as necessary.
API RP 1162
API RP 1162 was developed through the efforts of pipeline industry representatives, federal and state pipeline safety regulators and the public. This industry consensus standard provides guidance and recommendations to pipeline operators for the development and implementation of enhanced public awareness programs. It addresses various elements of such programs, including the intended audiences, the kinds of information to be communicated, frequencies and methodologies for communicating the information, and evaluation of the programs for effectiveness. An electronic copy of API RP 1162 may be downloaded from the American Petroleum Institute. Summary tables of the API RP 1162 program recommendations are provided here for review and downloading:
Information Highlights
Public Awareness Program Workshops
PHMSA sponsored a public workshop on Public Awareness Programs on February 20, 2008 in Houston, TX. PHMSA also co-sponsored workshops in 2005 and in 2003 to help pipeline operators develop and implement effective public awareness programs. More...
Final Rules on Operator Public Awareness Programs
PHMSA issued a final rule on December 13, 2007, that relaxes regulatory requirements governing public awareness programs conducted by operators of master meter systems and certain operators of petroleum gas systems. This final rule takes effect January 14, 2008. More...
A correction to the 2005 Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2005. The correction addressed the consistency in the language for the requirements in 195.440 (c) and 192.616 (c) and clarifies that the operator must consider both baseline and supplemental requirements of API RP 1162. More...
The 2005 Final Rule modified pipeline safety regulations found in 49 CFR 192.616 and 195.440. More information can be found in the Federal Register Notice in which the rule was issued. More...
Public Awareness FAQs
Everything you need to know about public awareness programs. More...