Call To Action

In April, 2011, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and PHMSA issued a Call to Action to engage all the state pipeline regulatory agencies, technical and subject matter experts, and pipeline operators to accelerate the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the highest-risk pipeline infrastructure.

The Call addresses many concerns related to pipeline safety, such as ensuring pipeline operators know the age and condition of their pipelines; proposing new regulations to strengthen reporting and inspection requirements; and making information about pipelines and the safety record of pipeline operators easily accessible to the public.

PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman sent a similar Call to Action letter  to the commissioners of these state regulatory agencies. State officials enforce pipeline safety regulations on roughly over 80 percent of the nation’s pipeline infrastructure. PHMSA continues to emphasize the importance of eliminating aging infrastructure in each state.

• Administrator Quarterman’s July 2012 request for state governors’ assistance with cast iron replacement.
• PHMSA Associate Administrator Jeff Wiese’s June 2012 request for state regulatory commissioners’ assistance with cast iron replacement.
• PHMSA's December 2011 White Papers on State Replacement Programs
• PHMSA Administrator Quarterman’s request for state pipeline information and invitation to 2011 Pipeline Safety Forum.
• Secretary LaHood’s March 2011 Call to Action letter to governors

State utility regulatory commissions can play a key role in reducing the amount of iron pipe by adjusting utility rates to incentivize replacement. The American Gas Association has been tracking the implementation of utility rate structures that incentivize replacing aging infrastructure. In many states, these utility rate structures were in place prior to the 2011 DOT/PHMSA Call to Action.

Pipeline Safety Update
Get updates on the progress of the Call to Action, safety regulations, and public comment opportunities.

Obama Administration Pipeline Safety Goals and Accomplishments
Learn more about PHMSA’s current goals and recent activities through a chronology of pipeline safety accomplishments, including Secretary LaHood’s Call to Action, a record number of enforcement actions in 2011, and increased funding to state safety programs.

State officials’ responses to the Call to Action and survey on cast/wrought iron replacement progress