Many organizations have a stake in the safe operation of our nation's petroleum and natural gas pipelines. Many of these same organizations have informational Web sites where you can gather more information about pipelines and pipeline safety. Many of these links are listed below. Click here for a list of the links with a description of the organization.
Disclaimer: Links to web sites outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT) are offered for your convenience in accessing related information. Please be aware that when you exit The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) web site, the privacy policy stated on our web site may NOT be the same as that on other web sites. OPS takes no responsibility for and exercises no control over the organization, views, or accuracy of the information contained on their servers.
Alphabetical Listing and Summary Descriptions
Amercian Gas Association (AGA) - represents 189 local natural gas utilities that deliver gas to 54 million homes and businesses in all 50 states. Additionally, AGA provides services to member natural gas pipelines, marketers, gatherers, international gas companies and a variety of industry associates. (www.aga.org)
Association of Oil Pipelines (AOPL) - The Association of Oil Pipe Lines is an unincorporated nonprofit organization started in 1947. As a trade association, the AOPL acts as an information clearinghouse for the public, the media and the pipeline industry. AOPL provides coordination and leadership for the industry's ongoing Joint Environmental Safety Initiative. AOPL also represents common carrier crude and product petroleum pipelines in Congress, before regulatory agencies, and in the federal courts. (www.aopl.org)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - a private, non-profit organization (501(c)3) that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute's mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. (www.ansi.org)
American Petroleum Institute (API) - provides a forum for all segments of the oil and natural gas industry to pursue public policy objectives and advance the interests of the industry. As a major research institute, API supports these public policy positions with scientific, technical and economic research. (www.api.org)
American Public Gas Association (APGA) - a nonprofit trade organization representing America's publicly owned natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). APGA represents the interests of public gas before Congress, federal agencies and other energy-related stakeholders by developing regulatory and legislative policies that further the goals of our members. In addition, APGA organizes meetings, seminars, and workshops with a specific goal to improve the reliability, operational efficiency, and regulatory environment in which public gas systems operate. (www.apga.org)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - provides high-quality continuing education and training to civil engineers and related professionals to advance professional knowledge and improve the practice of civil engineering worldwide. ASCE has seven Institutes for the integration of technical expertise and public policy into planning, design, construction and maintenance in all areas of civil engineering. (www.asce.org)
ASME International (ASME) - a nonprofit educational and technical organization. ASME sets many industrial and manufacturing standards. Previously recognized as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME International's mission seeks to promote and enhance the technical competency and professional well-being of it's members and better enable the practitioners of mechanical engineering to contribute to the well-being of humankind. (www.asme.org)
ASTM International (ASTM) - not-for-profit organization that provides a global forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM International provides standards that are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. (www.astm.org)
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) -- an organization of qualified construction contractors and industry related companies dedicated to skill, integrity, and responsibility. Operating in partnership with its Chapters, the association provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest. (www.agc.org)
Common Ground Alliance (CGA) - a nonprofit organization dedicated to shared responsibility in damage prevention and promotion of the damage prevention Best Practices identified in the Common Ground Study Report. Building on the spirit of shared responsibility resulting from the Common Ground Study, the purpose of the CGA is to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services by promoting effective damage prevention practices. Whether you are a facility owner or operator, locator, design professional, One-Call Center employee, excavator, contractor, or other stakeholder, ensuring the safety of those who work or live in the vicinity of underground facilities and protecting vital services is everyone's responsibility. (www.commongroundalliance.com)
Department of Energy (U.S.) - The Department of Energy's overarching mission is enhancing national security. Responsibility for accomplishing this mission is shared between four principle program lines: National Defense Programs; Energy Programs; Environmental Program; and Science Program. The Energy and Science programs carry out activities related to hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines. The goals of the DOE's Fossil Energy Oil and Gas R&D Program are to develop new technologies to keep our existing oil and natural gas fields pumping, to find new fields with less environmental disturbance, and to deliver cleaner fuels more reliably. (www.doe.gov)
Department of Transportation (U.S.) -
Leadership of the DOT is provided by the Secretary of Transportation, who is the
principal adviser to the President in all matters relating to federal
transportation programs. The
Secretary is assisted by the Deputy Secretary in
this role. The Office of the Secretary (OST) oversees the formulation of
national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other
responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international
transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of US airlines, enforcing
airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent
alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems and preparing
transportation legislation. (www.dot.gov)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends. EPA employs 18,000 people in Headquarters program offices, 10 regional offices, and 17 laboratories across the country. EPA employs a highly educated, technically trained staff, more than half of whom are engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists. A large number of employees are legal, public affairs, financial, and computer specialists. EPA is led by the Administrator who is appointed by the President of the United States. (www.epa.gov)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - an independent federal agency with headquarters located in Washington, D.C. and has regional and area offices across the country. FEMA pften works in partnership with other organizations that are part of the nation's emergency management system. These partners include state and local emergency management agencies, 27 federal agencies and American Red Cross. (www.fema.gov)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) - an independent regulatory agency within the Department of Energy that: Regulates the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce; Regulates the transmission of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce; Regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce; Licenses and inspects private, municipal and state hydroelectric projects; Oversees environmental matters related to natural gas, oil, electricity and hydroelectric projects; Administers accounting and financial reporting regulations and conduct of jurisdictional companies, and; Approves site choices as well as abandonment of interstate pipeline facilities. The Commission recovers all of its costs from regulated industries through fees and annual charges. (www.ferc.gov)
Gas Technology Institute (GTI) - provides energy and environmental products and services with a focus on natural gas. (www.gri.org)
Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA) - provides education and information exchange on the use and benefits of geospatial information and technology in telecommunications, infrastructure, and utility applications worldwide. The industries that GITA serves are defined as infrastructure-based organizations that can benefit from the application of geospatial information technologies. These industries include: Electric utilities; Gas utilities; Telecommunications companies; Water/wastewater utilities; Public works/local government; and Hazardous liquid and gas pipelines. (www.gita.org)
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) - a network of more than 12,000 chief fire and emergency officers. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in fire fighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search & rescue, and public safety legislation. (www.iafc.org)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) - The IAFF has more than 2,700 affiliates, representing fire fighters in more than 3,500 communities in the U.S. and Canada. The 250,000 members of the IAFF are the nation's full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics, who protect the lives and property of 80 percent of the nation's population. (www.iaff.org)
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) - a trade organization that advocates regulatory and legislative positions of importance to the natural gas pipeline industry in North America. INGAA represents virtually all of the interstate natural gas transmission pipeline companies operating in the U.S., as well as comparable companies in Canada and Mexico. Its members transport over 95 percent of the nation's natural gas through a network of 180,000 miles of pipelines. (www.ingaa.org)
Midwest Energy Association (MEA) - a consortium of energy industry organizations providing training and information resources to enhance employee safety, productivity, and positive customer relations. (www.midwestenergy.org)
Minerals Management Services (MMS) - a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, MMS is the federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than $5 billion per year in revenues from federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on federal and Indian lands. (www.mms.gov)
Nace International - the largest organization in the world committed to the study of corrosion. NACE International provides education and communicates information to protect people, assets, and the environment from the effects of corrosion. NACE International has more than fifty years of experience in developing corrosion prevention and control standards. (www.nace.org)
National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) - a non-profit organization of state gas pipeline safety directors, managers, inspectors and technical personnel who serve to support, encourage, develop and enhance pipeline safety regulation. (www.napsr.org)
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) - a non-profit organization. Its members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate the activities of telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. (www.naruc.org)
National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) - a not-for-profit corporation that represents the most senior fire official of each of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. State Fire Marshals' responsibilities vary from state to state, but Marshals tend to be responsible for fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education and advising Governors and State Legislatures on fire protection. Some State Fire Marshals are responsible for fire fighter training, hazardous materials incident responses, wildland fires and the regulation of natural gas and other pipelines. Most members are appointed by Governors or other high-ranking state officials. NASFM's mission is two-fold: (1) To protect human life, property and the environment from fire; and (2) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals' operations. (www.firemarshals.org)
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) - The newest of DOE's national laboratories, NETL is at the forefront of research to advance fossil energy exploration, supply, and end-use technologies. NETL's primary mission is to assure that U.S. fossil energy resources can meet increasing demand for affordable energy without compromising the quality of life for future generations of Americans. NETL has historically focused on the development of advanced technologies related to coal and natural gas. A recent addition to NETL is the National Petroleum Technology Office, so that NETL's responsibilities now cover the breadth of fossil energy resources-coal, natural gas, and oil. (www.netl.doe.gov)
National Energy Board (Canada) (NEB) - an independent federal agency that regulates several aspects of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety, environmental protection and economic efficiency in the Canadian public interest while respecting individuals' rights within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade. (www.neb.gc.ca)
National Fire Academy/U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - an entity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support (www.usfa.fema.gov)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - an international nonprofit, the mission of the NFPA is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. NFPA membership totals more than 75,000 individuals from around the world and more than 80 national trade and professional organizations. (www.nfpa.org)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. NIST carries out its mission in four cooperative programs: the NIST Laboratories; the Baldrige National Quality Program; the Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and the Advanced Technology Program. (www.nist.gov)
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) — a national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry. The NPGA membership includes small businesses and large corporations engaged in the retail marketing of propane gas and appliances; producers and wholesalers of propane equipment; manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment; fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks; and propane transporters. (www.npga.org)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - an independent Federal agency that investigates every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation, conducts special investigations and safety studies, and issues safety recommendations to prevent future accidents. Safety Board investigators are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (www.ntsb.gov)
National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA) - an organization of contract locators, facility owners, One-Call centers, excavators, S.U.E., and industry suppliers that share a common interest in safety and damage prevention. (www.nulca.com)
National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Council (NTDPC) - a non-competitive forum dedicated to promoting the protection of underground facilities, subsurface facility awareness and the use of One-Call notification systems. The goal of the NTDPC is to prevent damage to the buried facilities that form our nation's vital telecommunications infrastructure. (www.ntdpc.com)
National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) - a national association with an extensive network of 43 chapters that represent the interests of underground utility contractors throughout the United States. (www.nuca.com)
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) - a non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the information source regarding legislation, standards and regulatory issues. (www.nvfc.org)
Northeast Gas Association (NEGA) - a regional trade association that focuses on education and training, technology research and development, and increasing public awareness of natural gas in the Northeast U.S. (www.nega.com)
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) - In the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has public responsibilities for the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials to industry and consumers by all transportation modes, including the nation's pipelines. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is the federal safety authority for the nation's 2.3 million miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. The OPS mission is to ensure the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's pipeline transportation system. OPS safety jurisdiction over approximately 1.6 million miles of gas pipelines covers more than 3,000 natural gas gathering, transmission, and distribution operators, and approximately 10,000 master meter and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operators. OPS also regulates over 200 hazardous liquid pipeline operators owning and operating an estimated 155,000 miles of pipeline. OPS currently has approximately 70 employees: half work at Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the other half work in the five OPS regional offices located in Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Houston, TX; and Lakewood, CO.
Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI) - a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation comprised of energy pipeline companies. PRCI was first organized as the Pipeline Research Committee to address the problem of long-running brittle fractures in natural gas transmission pipelines. Although originally focused on technology development for the gas transmission pipeline industry, over the years PRCI has increasingly focused on near-term integrity and reliability solutions to design and operating problems. As the focus of the work has evolved and broadened so too has PRCI's membership with an increasing focus on oil and petroleum products pipelines. (www.prci.org)
SGA - a natural gas industry association whose membership includes natural gas distribution, transmission and gas supply marketing companies. SGA provides member companies with a collaborative forum for sharing knowledge, experience and best practices and a source of relevant training and development programs to improve individual and corporate performance. (www.southerngas.org)
Underground Utility and Leak Locators Association (UULLA) - a not for profit association of firms and individuals that are involved in providing underground utility and leak detection services to municipalities, private property owners, industry, engineers, architects and others. (www.uulla.org)