In March PHMSA took the first steps to stand up the agency's Security and Preparedness Office. Since that initial action, Tonya Schreiber from PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Technology Division was temporarily assigned to create the future role for this new office. Schreiber focused her initial efforts by coordinating with other DOT operating administrations to improve the lines of communication and security efforts related to hazardous materials transportation and pipeline operations.

As an outcome of recommendations from last year's hurricane response effort, PHMSA is asking for pipeline emergency authority in the next DOT legislative proposal to the White House to streamline pipeline operator reactivation of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines during times of national emergency.

In preparation for the 2006 hurricane season, and other national disasters, Schreiber worked with PHMSA regional directors and chiefs to develop the agency's role and mission during response and recovery efforts. A cadre of PHMSA personnel now support response efforts and have completed the required Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training to give them an understanding of the National Incident Management System.

Schreiber's coordination with other federal agencies helped to define PHMSA's role within DOT and within the Emergency Support Functions managed by FEMA. Other ongoing efforts are the updating of PHMSA's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to comply with the overall federal plan, improve PHMSA's COOP site capabilities and expand agency support to the U.S. DOT Crisis Management Center. For more information, contact Tonya Schreiber, Acting PHMSA Security and Preparedness Coordinator at (202) 366-1634 or by email at Tonya.Schreiber@dot.gov.

[PHOTO: Administrator Thomas J. Barrett]

As I write, PHMSA is just over a year old, pretty young as Federal agencies go. But, what we do is critically important to Americans everywhere.

America has a strong and growing economy. Recent numbers reflect annual growth of 5.6 percent, the strongest growth in over two years. To sustain that type of growth and maintain our quality of life demands safe, secure, reliable and efficient energy and hazardous materials transportation. PHMSA’s national programs help deliver these results, serve and safeguard the public, and protect the environment. As you know, safety is our highest priority. But as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita reminded us, we must also attend to other goals, like improving readiness for natural disasters or terrorism and reducing chokepoints in the transportation system, particularly for pipelines, our energy highways.

Given the importance of our duties and the potentially disastrous consequences if we fail, our collective responsibility at PHMSA must be the unrelenting pursuit of mission excellence. Everyone in PHMSA, no matter what job we perform, must demand and deliver excellent work. We hold the trust of all Americans. The nation deserves our very best. And we are accountable to the American public for results. As Ben Franklin reminded us, “Well done is better than well said.”

So, with you, I look forward to emphasizing PHMSA mission outcomes, using solid data to drive smart analyses, effective systems risk management, program standards, education and enforcement. Strong partnerships with other Federal and state agencies, industry stakeholders, the first responder community and the public can help immensely to achieve our goals. Willingness to explore new ideas and take advantage of innovation and new technologies should always be among our hallmarks. And most important to me, we can never forget those around us — we are all in this together. Respect and integrity will always be part of our defining values.

I am tremendously impressed with the people in PHMSA I have met so far. I look forward to meeting the rest of you soon and working with all of you on the specific actions we will take to turn our goals into reality.

I am deeply honored by the opportunity to lead PHMSA. I pledge to do all I can, along with each of you, to excel at our missions and sustain the public’s trust in us every day.

On June 8, Transportation Secretary Mineta forwarded PHMSA’s Pipeline Reauthorization package to Congress. With authority under the existing Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) of 2002 nearing an end, it is time for Congress to pass reauthorization.

The Pipeline Safety and Reliability Improvement Act of 2006 would build on PHMSA’s positive accomplishments in pipeline safety by creating incentives for states to improve their programs. The proposed legislation would help with environmental and infrastructure protection and planning.

Speaking at the Florida State Pipeline Safety Meeting June 20 in St. Petersburg Beach, Fla., PHMSA Deputy Administration Brigham McCown commented…, “The proposed bill would establish a state grant program to provide incentives to states to develop more effective damage prevention programs. PHMSA and state agencies would also gain the authority to conduct civil enforcement.”

PHMSA has succeeded in achieving the mandates set forth in the PSIA of 2002, and has done so in a timely manner.

[PHOTO: Helicopter-based leak detection seen during a technology demonstration.]

Since 2002, PHMSA established and implemented an effective and collaborative pipeline safety research and development (R&D) program through co-funded efforts with relevant Federal and state agencies, as well as pipeline research organizations and industry trade organizations representing hazardous liquid, natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines.

"I am pleased with the success of this program, especially the innovations leading to better pipeline technology for management of the integrity of pipeline systems," said PHMSA Deputy Administrator for Pipeline Safety Ted Willke.

Currently, the R&D program is fostering development of new technologies through 47 projects and technology demonstrations, and seven U.S. patent applications. The program further strengthens consensus standards and safety regulations through 50 projects contributing to the revision or creation of new standards.

Successful completion of R&D projects is only part of the challenge. To ensure the effective and rapid deployment of technology, PHMSA requires that projects plan for technology transfer and application of project results. Technology or knowledge transfer can be accomplished through targeted application in standards development, tool commercialization and general knowledge.

"Demonstrations are paramount for successful technology development; they remove non-performers and support why PHMSA and the pipeline industry should continue funding successful technology projects," said Willke.

For more information about pipeline safety research, please contact either James Merritt at 303-683-3117 or Robert Smith at 202-366-3814. More PHMSA R&D information is available on-line at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/rd/.

[PHOTO: Krista Edwards, PHMSA Chief Counsel]

On May 1, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta welcomed Krista L. Edwards as PHMSA’s first chief counsel. Edwards came to the department having served as a partner in the Washington, DC, office of Sidley Austin, LLP, and member of the firm’s Employment and Labor, and Transportation Practice groups.

“Edwards brings an ideal blend of private practice experience and in-depth understanding of transportation law to the position as PHMSA’s top lawyer,” said Secretary Mineta.

Edwards received her Jurist Doctorate (cum laude) from Northwestern School of Law, Chicago, Ill., and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill. She is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia and the State of Illinois.

[Chevron Empire Terminal tank damage. Photo: Chevron Inc.]

With the advent of hurricane season, PHMSA continues making headway inspecting damage to the nation's energy infrastructure caused by last year's Hurricane Katrina. PHMSA Pipeline Engineer Joseph Mataich completed a routine inspection in June 2006 of the Chevron Pipeline Company's 75-mile Chandeleur Pipeline System that runs from offshore oil production platforms to Pascagoula, Miss., and commented on the enormous efforts to fix the devastation.

"In all the years I've worked with PHMSA, I have never seen so much destruction to pipeline infrastructure as I did at the Chevron facilities in Mississippi and Louisiana," said Mataich.

Mataich's pipeline inspection was a routine periodic inspection of pipeline operators, like Chevron as required under the 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 190-199. The inspection includes a review of operator qualifications, personnel training, maintenance schedules and visual inspection of the pipeline. Of particular note during the inspection was the massive devastation witnessed at Chevron's Empire Terminal complex at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Eight storage petroleum breakout tanks were either in some stage of repair or had been totally destroyed.

[IMAGE: E85 Fuel]

Working closely with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), PHMSA issued a Safety Alert on April 26 providing guidance for responding to incidents involving fuel mixtures composed of ethanol and gasoline in various concentrations. This action helped ensure that first responders are well-informed on recommended handling practices of new E85 fuels, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, and15 percent gasoline.

The use of alternative fuels is increasing around the country as Americans are looking for ways to reduce petroleum consumption and harmful emissions. Automotive technologies have advanced to accept cleaner agricultural-based fuels. A cousin to "gasohol," a mixture of smaller concentrations of 5 percent to 10 percent ethanol to gasoline, the higher ethanol content E85 is finding a growing market with flexible-fuel vehicles.

Emergency responder safety and preparedness is a primary goal of the U.S. DOT. To help in that effort the agency publishes and distributes free of charge the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) as a reference for first responders to use during the initial phase of a hazardous materials transportation incident. The 2004 ERG can be found at: http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg [http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/erg].

For incidents involving gasoline and gasohol, emergency responders are referred to Guide 128 in the ERG. For fires, Guide 128 specifies the use of regular foam, but contains the following warning: CAUTION: For mixtures containing a high percentage of an alcohol or polar solvent, alcohol-resistant foam may be more effective. This caution applies to ethanol-petroleum products with greater that 10 percent concentrations of ethanol such as E85. When responding to transportation incidents involving E85, emergency responders should refer to Guide 127 (Flammable Liquids Polar/Water-Miscible). For fires, Guide 127 specifies the use of alcohol resistant foam.

PHMSA is also exploring possible changes to shipping descriptions or other hazard communication requirements for alcohol-gasoline fuel mixtures. These changes may ensure that these mixtures are readily identifiable and refer emergency responders to guidance specifying the use of alcohol-resistant foam. Currently, there is no United Nations (UN) identification number for ethanol concentrations above 5 percent. PHMSA, with the support of Transport Canada, will propose a new proper shipping name and UN identification number be designated for higher concentration ethanol-mixed flammable liquids at the July 2006 meeting of the UN Transport of Dangerous Goods Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Geneva, Switzerland.

PHMSA welcomes suggestions or comments related to E85 to improve the next publication of the ERG. Send comments to ERG2008@dot.gov.

[PHOTO: (Left to right) Duane Pfund, PHMSA International Standards; Stephen Laskowski, V.P. Ontario Trucking Association;
continued from page 5 Doug Smith, PHMSA Enforcement; and Shane Kelley, PHMSA International Standards.]

Ontario Trucking Association Vice President Stephen Laskowski was hosted April 25 by PHMSA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and was presented with an outlook of proposed Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) changes that could affect the cross-border trucking industry. This was only one of several meetings with other key DOT modal administrations set for the day.

Representing PHMSA at the meeting were Duane Pfund and Shane Kelley from International Standards, and Doug Smith from Enforcement. Each provided personal insight into DOT’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation safety and increase hazardous materials safety.

The Ontario Trucking Association is the third largest truck association in North America and Laskowski was anxious to hear first-hand PHMSA’s effort to expand harmonization of the HMR with United Nations standards relating to hazmat packaging, marking, labeling and training. Also of particular interest to the Canadian trucking industry was a better understanding of the DOT, Coast Guard and Customs’ security and prosperity initiatives related to truck cargo security seals and re-seal policies.

Laskowski said that Transport Canada, DOT’s counterpart government regulatory agency in Canada, is working closely with the DOT and Department of Homeland Security on efforts to perfect new identification “fast cards” for use by motor carrier drivers who conduct business across the U.S.-Canada border.

PHMSA issued a safety advisory May 1 in the Federal Register notifying the public about 6,325 high pressure cylinders that were not tested in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and are a potential safety hazard. Many of these cylinders are being used as self-contained breathing apparatus in paint ball applications and in aircraft slide service. Although there is no immediate safety concern, PHMSA does require that these cylinders be returned for testing.

PHMSA was recently notified of the manufacture and sale of certain high pressure DOT exemption cylinders that were not auto-frettage and hydrostatically tested in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations. These cylinders were manufactured and distributed by Luxfer, Inc. of Riverside, Calif., and its independent inspection agency Arrowhead Industrial Services, Inc. To date, in a joint effort, Luxfer and Arrowhead have retrieved 3,976 of the untested cylinders, leaving 2,349 cylinders yet to be retrieved.

PHMSA compiled a list of all model and serial number markings of the remaining cylinders identified by Luxfer and Arrowhead that were not properly tested prior to distribution and posted it on the following website: http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/notices/sa/71fr27307.pdf.

Any person possessing a cylinder manufactured by Luxfer and marked with one of the serial numbers listed on PHMSA's safety advisory should take the cylinder to a qualified refilling station and have the pressure relieved from the cylinder. The cylinder should be returned to Arrowhead Industrial Services for required testing before further use

The Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) is exploring the development of a DOT Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW).

Since 1968, FEW has worked to improve the status of women employed by the Federal government. It is a private membership, non-profit, nonpartisan organization with over 100 chapters throughout the United States and overseas, dedicated to promoting equality for women and addressing concerns of women in the Federal workforce. Additional information is available at http://www.few.org.

If you would like to learn more, please contact Linda King in PHMSA’s Office of Civil Rights at (202) 366-3529 and e-mail at Linda King@dot.gov, or Grace P. Waters, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, at (202) 366-9361.

On April 26, the Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training announced the availability of its new Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety "Infopack." This followed with the availability June 1 of their newly updated "DOT Hazardous Materials Employee Resource Book."

The new "Infopack," like the "Standard Pack" it replaces, is a printed pocket folder version of the most commonly requested publications and information on products and services provided by PHMSA. Included as part of the new design was the addition of the Hazardous Materials Compliance Basics Series brochures covering Materials of Trade and Fumigants Marking Requirements, the new Hazardous Materials Transportation Training Modules Version 5.0 brochure, Hazmat Transportation Workshops and Seminars schedules, and an updated Commercial Suppliers list.

The "Hazardous Materials Employee Resource Book" identifies key DOT headquarters, field, and state personnel with hazardous materials responsibilities.

If you would like to order copies of either publication, please send an e-mail request to training@dot.gov, or contact Maria Howard at (202)366-4900.

[PHOTO: Deborah Frazier (center) and Sabrina Fludd (right) from PHMSA’s budget office take the time to highlight pipeline and hazardous materials career opportunities currently available at PHMSA.]

PHMSA careers opportunities were center stage May 4-6 as volunteers manned an exhibit booth and greeted thousands of visitors at the Public Service Recognition Week tents on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The general public took advantage of the wealth of information available about government careers.

“We were elated to have the opportunity to shine light on how important our agency’s mission is to public safety,” said PHMSA volunteer Sabrina Fludd.

Celebrated the first week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week is a time set aside each year to honor the men and women who serve America as Federal, state and local government employees. Public employees use the week to educate citizens about the many ways the government serves its fellow citizens.

Over 100 Federal civilian and military agencies showcased their programs while taking part in the annual celebration on the mall. The PHMSA exhibit included a pictorial display of day-to-day pipeline and hazardous materials program and regulatory oversight activities, as well a pipeline emergency response training video.

[PHOTO: Director of Hazmat Technology Charles Hochman served as a senior panel member at the joint PHMSA-FRA public meetings. ]

With the tragic January 2005 Graniteville, S.C., rail car accident that released poisonous chlorine gas and killed nine people still fresh in the minds of Americans, PHMSA and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) jointly initiated a comprehensive review of design and operational factors that affect rail tank car safety.

From May 31-June 1, PHMSA and FRA co-sponsored public meetings in Washington, D.C., to give interested persons an opportunity to voice their concerns and comments regarding the safe transportation of hazardous toxic by inhalation materials in
railroad tank cars.

The outcome of this review will determine if new or amended Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations promulgated by PHMSA and enforced by FRA are required.

[PHOTO: Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson (left) presents the Veterans Enterprise Award to PHMSA Administrator Thomas J. Barrett (right).]

PHMSA was recognized June 14 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for exceeding the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) prime contracting goal of 3 percent by committing 29 percent of its contracting to SDVOSB. Attending the Center for Veterans Enterprise Awards Ceremony, PHMSA Administrator Thomas Barrett accepted an award on behalf of the PHMSA Office of Contracting and Procurement staff. The Center for Veterans Enterprise Awards Ceremony is sponsored by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recognize Federal agencies that have met or exceeded the 3 percent goal.

For fiscal year 2005, PHMSA easily exceeded the 3 percent SDVOSB prime contracting goal due in great part to its firm dedication to providing contracting opportunities to the service-disabled veteran owned businesses as encouraged by President Bush in Executive Order 13360.

“It is PHMSA’s goal to fully implement the intent of this Executive Order by attaining or exceeding the mandated 3 percent goal for contracts awarded to service disabled veteran-owned small businesses,” said PHMSA Director of Contracting and Procurement Tom Scott. “These men and women have earned and deserve consideration within the PHMSA contracting arena, and it is our responsibility to assist the President in achieving his objective.”

Two companies under contract to PHMSA, B&W Human Resources Specialists and Catapult Inc., were instrumental in the agency exceeding the President’s goal. They consistently displayed the professionalism, stability, and flexibility to meet PHMSA’s specialized technological and human resource needs. These unique companies set precedents for providing quality work and have been vital to PHMSA’s mission and goals.

Both companies’ noteworthy accomplishments were recognized December 1, 2005, in Baltimore at the 2nd Annual National Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Conference and the Secretary of Transportation’s Minority Business Awards Ceremony hosted by the DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and the Minority Resource Center. At the awards ceremony, B&W was presented with the Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Award. The DOT OSDBU Office later recognized Catapult’s accomplishment at a separate senior staff meeting.

As a result of PHMSA’s success with the SDVOSB program, the agency will continue to demonstrate the same level of commitment in promoting and advocating the use of small and disadvantaged businesses through outreach and participation in small business conferences.

On May 18, the owner and chief engineer of Global Composites International (GCI) in Ontario, Calif., was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Central District of California, on two guilty pleas for violating the Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations and distributing compressed gas cylinders which were not properly tested. Without approved testing to ensure integrity, untested cylinders carry the risk for catastrophic failure and explosion.

Krishna Lal Agrawal was sentenced to ten months home confinement, 26 months probation, ordered to pay $3,000 in fines, $6,073 restitution and a $200 special assessment.

A joint investigation by the FBI and PHMSA disclosed that Agrawal had transported in commerce and distributed 110 non-tested carbon fiber filament cylinders.

PHMSA has suspended GCI’s exemption and manufacturer authority and issued a safety advisory notice in the Federal Register to advise the public of a safety risk. The safety advisory can be found at http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/notices/sa/70fr-47273.pdf.

The North American Automotive Hazmat Action Committee (NAAHAC) recently introduced its on-line web based hazardous materials transportation training program known as HazmatU.

This program was developed as a user-friendly way for dealership employees to train all staff involved in the preparation of hazardous materials shipments in compliance with the Hazardous Material Regulations. A Spanish language version of the current program is planned for release in the near future.

HazmatU was created for individuals working in the automotive industry to gain a clear understanding of the U.S. DOT Hazardous Material Regulations as they apply to automotive products. The program consists of nine comprehensive training modules addressing such topicsas general awareness, safety, emergency response, security awareness and function specific responsibilities. A certificate is provided to individuals.

PHMSA applauds the automotive industry’s efforts to provide employee hazardous materials training opportunities.

[PHOTO: MGEN Taguba, USA (left), Helen Hagin, PHMSADirector of Civil Rights (center) and Dr. Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, Research and Innovative TechnologyAdministrator (right) take time to meet following Taguba’s speech at the heritage month celebrationheld May 3 at the DOT headquarters.]

Office of Pipeline Safety

Piyali Tuludkar, Statisician
Amy Nelson, IT Project Manager

Office of Chief Counsel

James Curry, Attorney Advisor 
Denise Desautels, Attorney Advisor 
Duanporn Chiranand, Attorney Advisor

Office of the Administrator

Cynthia Ingrao, Drug & Alcohol

Office of Contracts and Procurement

Eric Hilton, Student Trainee (Contracts)

Office of Administration

T’Mia Vine, Student Trainee (IT Spec.)

Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Joseph Nicklous, Physical Scientist

Office of Eastern Region

Brigette Burton, Program Assistant

[PHOTO: (Left to right) Administrator Thomas Barrett, Rita Freeman-Kelly (PHP) and Damon Hill (PHG) and Sheila Barrett.]

PHMSA Administrator Barrett enjoys the Open House with staff and regulated industry stakeholders.

[PHOTO: Linda Daugherty (PHP) and Ivan Huntoon (PHP).]

[PHOTO: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety stakeholders meet PHMSA Administrator Barrett.]

• In June, PHMSA Associate Administrator For Management and Administration Edward Brigham announced that Jesse Dobbs accepted the position as Director of the Office of Administration and that Jack Albright accepted the position as Chief Information Officer.
• PHMSA Attorney Anil Mehta has been confirmed as a protégé in the Leaders for Tomorrow Mentoring Program. Kick-off for the program was in May.
• On May 31, 1977, the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was completed after three years of work.

“The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.”

Dave DeBusschere