Audits

This report presents the results of our review of the Pipeline Safety Program. The report is in response to a request from Senator Patty L. Murray following a pipeline accident in Bellingham, Washington.1 Our objectives were to:

Determine what legislation might be needed to enhance the Office of Pipeline Safety’s (OPS) ability to improve pipeline safety.

Assess OPS’s efforts to utilize and develop pipeline inspection technologies.

Assess OPS’s current efforts to address the major causes of transmission pipeline accidents.

Assess OPS’s actions that address National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations related to the major causes of transmission pipeline accidents.