A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a written agreement that clarifies responsibilities between two or more organizations that share services, clients, or other common associations. An MOU creates a clear understanding of each party's purpose and of their commitments. The document will set out expectations for a series of predetermined responses should certain criteria, either intentionally or unintentionally, breach the MOU's original purpose and commitments. An MOU is not a legally-binding document. It is the written reflection of an understanding between two parties, developed through negotiation and mutual agreement. An MOU is finalized through acceptance of the MOU, and approved by the agency representatives who show approval by signing the MOU.
PHMSA has often entered into MOUs in areas in which statutory authority is shared by multiple agencies or in which statutory authority overlap. The regulatory oversight authorities over LNG facilities that may be shared or overlap among PHMSA, FERC, and USCG have been the subject of various MOUs. These include:
