Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) new rule on standards for increasing the maximum allowable operating pressure for gas transmission pipelines. GAO found that (1) the final rule amends the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher operating stress levels; and (2) with the exception of the delay in effective date, PHMSA complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.