About Pipelines
Advisory Bulletins
PHMSA uses advisory bulletins to inform affected pipeline operators and Federal and state pipeline safety personnel of matters that have the potential of becoming safety or environmental risks. More...
Best Practices in Damage Prevention
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) provides and promotes comprehensive best practices in the area of pipeline damage prevention. They are an invaluable resource for excavators, as well as for state and local policymakers. More...
Call Before You Dig -- It's the Law!
All fifty states have enacted laws requiring the establishment of central communications points for anyone planning to dig or excavate. No matter what kind of digging you plan to do, you must notify your local One-Call center before beginning your work. More...
Cities and Counties Finding Common Ground
Following a major gasoline pipeline rupture and subsequent fire in Bellingham, WA, in 1999, cities and counties in the state of Washington came together to educate themselves and adopt a proactive approach to pipeline safety issues. The Interlocal Agreement they signed at that time may be a useful model for establishing similar cooperative relationships across the country. More..
Citizen's Committee on Pipeline Safety
Citizen’s committees on pipeline safety have been formed in several states to advise local, state and federal agencies on pipeline safety matters. An example is the Washington State Citizen’s Committee on Pipeline Safety. More...
The Common Ground Study Report
The OPS-sponsored Common Ground Study involved an unprecedented collaboration among excavators, locators, engineers, operators and regulators -- all working together to identify best practices in underground facility damage prevention. The report they released in 2003 had far-reaching effects that continue today. You may download a copy here. More..
Federal Laws Address Pipeline Safety
Laws found in the U.S. Code address Pipeline Safety and Oil Pollution in navigable waters. These laws are the basis for pipeline safety regulations.
FERC's LNG Website
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission maintains an active website dedicated to LNG issues. More...
FERC’s Role in the Natural Gas Industry
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates natural gas pipeline projects. FERC evaluates and approves the siting (location) of interstate natural gas facilities, including pipelines and natural gas storage facilities and liquefied natural gas facilities. FERC’s decisions could affect you if your property is near the location of a proposed facility. More...
For Kids and Teachers Only
Do you like to learn about really interesting things having to do with science and energy? More...
Four Simple Steps that Could Save Your Life
If every one of us understands and acts on these four simple steps, it will have a very significant positive impact on pipeline safety in the United States, and lives will be saved. More...
Gas Transmission and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Markers
Since pipelines are usually buried underground, line markers and warning signs are used to indicate their presence in an area along the pipeline route. See examples of some of these markers. More...
Grants to States and Communities
PHMSA provides grant opportunities designed to improve damage prevention, develop new technologies, or otherwise improve pipeline safety. More...
Local Emergency Planning Committees
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) provide a mechanism for citizens, local governments and industry to work together to plan for chemical accidents, and to reduce risk to the public from releases of toxic chemicals into the environment. Many LEPCs are also involved in planning for pipeline emergencies. You can play a part, and the first step is locating the LEPC in your area. More...
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the U.S.
Increasing U.S. consumption of natural gas, coupled with declining North American production, has led to an increasing reliance on imported LNG. More...
LNG Community Awareness
PHMSA hosted a workshop in 2005 to examine developments concerning liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the information requirements of communities where LNG facilities are proposed. During that workshop, we learned that the fire services did not have an impartial and concise source of information about LNG. We partnered with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), other Federal agencies, universities, and industry to explain LNG in a style readily understood by emergency responders. NASFM subsequently published An Overview of the LNG Industry for Fire Marshals and Emergency Responders.
LNG is Crucial to U.S. Energy Supply
The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified expansion of LNG imports as a crucial component of the U. S. natural gas supply. Increasing those imports will require the siting and construction of new LNG import terminals. More...
National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives
The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives ("NAPSR or Association") is a non-profit organization of state pipeline safety personnel who serve to promote pipeline safety in the United States and its territories. More...
National Consensus Standards
National consensus standards help assure the safe design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of pipelines. They are established and periodically updated by committees of engineers and other technical experts. More...
New Technologies to Increase Pipeline Safety
OPS is funding extensive research and development aimed at increasing pipeline safety. Some of the programs being funded may be of particular interest to excavators and industry representatives. More...
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Since pipelines are usually buried underground, brightly colored line markers and warning signs are used to indicate their approximate location along the pipeline route. Here's what these markers look like. More...
PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety Research and Development Program
PHMSA’s pipeline safety research & development efforts relate to different pipeline types and application areas and address issues important to pipeline safety stakeholders. More...
Pipeline Emergencies
The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) accepted PHMSA’s challenge to help ensure the safety of America's vast and growing pipeline infrastructure and help achieve the goal of zero pipeline incidents. More...
Pipeline Maps and Operator Contacts
Wondering about a pipeline route in your town, or what a particular pipeline carries? If you're a federal, state or local official, you can access pipeline maps as well as operator contact information through the National Pipeline Mapping System. Apply for access. More...
Pipelines and Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding concerning cooperation between the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on pipeline and hazardous materials transportation security. The TSA maintains a website regarding pipeline security.
Pipelines in Emergency Response Areas
Emergency response organizations can access pipeline maps by registering with the National Pipeline Mapping System. It’s a good idea. More...
Pipeline Integrity Management
PHMSA rules require pipeline operators to implement comprehensive pipeline integrity management programs to enhance pipeline safety across the nation. The Pipeline Library provides information on various integrity management assessment techniques. More extensive information regarding integrity management is available on our Integrity Management website.
Pipelines May Involve Other Federal Agencies
PHMSA collaborates and coordinates extensively with other federal agencies. More...
Pipeline Operators Must Have Public Awareness Programs
Pipeline companies are required to establish public education programs to increase stakeholder awareness of pipelines and their locations, and to ensure stakeholders know how to recognize and respond to pipeline emergencies. More...
Pipeline Safety Inspections
Various types of pipeline inspections are carried out by OPS and state inspectors. More...
The Pipeline Safety Trust
The Pipeline Safety Trust promotes fuel transportation safety through education and advocacy, by increasing access to information, and by building partnerships with residents, safety advocates, government, and industry, that result in safer communities and a healthier environment. More...
Potential LNG Terminal Sites in North America
This one-page FERC PDF document shows the locations of potential LNG terminal sites identified in Canada, the United States and Mexico by sponsoring companies or consortia, and that may be proposed in the future by those companies or consortia. More...
Preparing for Emergencies
Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is a booklet written by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Are You Ready? addresses all aspects of individual, family, and community preparedness for a wide variety of potential emergencies, including hazardous materials incidents. You can download or order it here. More..
Public Awareness FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their responses are intended to provide insight into PHMSA's approach to the operator public awareness programs they describe. They are intended to facilitate understanding of the public awareness program rule, enhance communication with all stakeholders, and provide information to operators concerning PHMSA's inspection approach. More...
Public Awareness Program Workshops and Presentations
PHMSA has co-sponsored workshops and presented information intended to help pipeline operators develop and implement effective public education programs. More...
Recognizing and Responding to Pipeline Emergencies
Recognizing the signs of a pipeline leak and pipeline emergency and knowing what to do, whether you are at home, at work, or outside along a pipeline right-of-way is important. It could save your life and the lives of others. More...
Safe Pipelines Email Discussion Group
The Safe Pipelines listserv is dedicated to sharing pipeline safety and pipeline siting information among community activists, government officials, and pipeline experts nationwide. Join the discussion here. More...
Siting LNG Import Terminals
The National Association of Fire State Marshals (NASFM) document Fire Service Guidance for Participating in LNG Terminal Evaluation, Siting, and Operations helps educate fire officials about the regulatory processes that ensure the safety and security of LNG terminals. Fire officials are encouraged to participate in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) cryogenic design conferences and U.S. Coast Guard waterway suitability assessments. These processes culminate in a facility Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that must be approved by FERC prior to construction of a LNG terminal. Fire official participation in the development of the ERP ensures that local response agencies have the knowledge and resources necessary to protect their communities. More...
State Regulatory Fact Sheets
Information about state pipeline safety regulation, state enforcement data, and state pipeline incident and mileage data is available. More...
States Also Regulate Pipelines
See the state regulatory pages for more information about PHMSA’s state partners. More...
Strengthening State Damage Prevention Programs
PHMSA developed a guide for stakeholders to use in strengthening their state damage prevention programs. It draws on the definition of effective damage prevention programs found in the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006. More…
Your OPS Point of Contact
Need a contact within OPS, or a speaker for your next community council meeting? Have questions about inspections or a pipeline's proximity to a wetland? OPS Community Assistance and Technical Services managers can assist. More...
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.