General
What is PHMSA?
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, is a U.S. Department of Transportation agency. It was created under the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-426) of 2004.
What does PHMSA do?
PHMSA develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.
How is PHMSA organized?
PHMSA comprises two safety offices, the Office of Pipeline Safety and the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety.
PHMSA is located in five regions across the country and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Training Center is centrally-located in Oklahoma City.
Who is the chief executive of PHMSA?
The Administrator is the Agency's chief executive, appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. The PHMSA Administrator provides direction to nearly 500 employees within the agency's Washington, DC Headquarters and Regions. Cynthia L. Quarterman is the third and current administrator.
The PHMSA Administrator is supported by a senior leadership team comprised of a Deputy Administrator, Chief Safety Officer, Chief Counsel, Associate Administrators for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety, Chief Financial Officer, and Directors for Public Affairs and Civil Rights.