Pipeline Safety Regulations

Contents

• Introduction
• Federal Agencies and Regulations
• Washington State Regulations
• Regulations in Other States
• Regulations in Canada

Introduction

This page and the linked websites and documents provide an overview of the roles played by federal and state agencies in regulating the operational safety of transmission pipelines. Local governments have almost no direct role in overseeing pipeline operations, with the exception of permit coordination when construction or maintenance is done. This state and federal regulatory information is provided so that you are aware of the significant regulatory environment under which major transmission pipelines operate.

Our main Pipeline Safety page provides easy navigation to additional pipeline topics. If your main concern is planning issues, you can go directly to Planning Near Pipelines.

This "Fact Sheet" produced by the Washington Utilities and Transportation commission explains the primary role taken by the state agency in regard to intrastate pipelines, and the inspection role that that state agency has in regard to federal regulations that apply to interstate pipelines.

Federal Agencies and Regulations

• Public Law 112-90, 112th Congress - Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011
• 49 USC Subtitle VIII, Pipelines - These are the primary US Code regulations that deal with pipeline safety.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) - U. S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
  • OPS Stakeholder Communications (Choose Local Officials Tab)
  • OPS Regulations
  • Integrity Management
• Pipeline and Hazardous Material - National Transportation and Safety Board
• Partnership for Excellence in Pipeline Safety - Partnership of National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) with the U.S. Department of Transportation'sPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Washington State Regulations

• OPS Stakeholder Communications: Washington - Overview of Pipeline Information for Washington State
• Ch. 81.88 RCW, Washington Pipeline Safety Act
• Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Pipeline Safety
• Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response - Department of Ecology
• Washington Utilities Coordinating Council
  • Call Before You Dig
  • Chapter 19.122 RCW - Underground Utilities - One number locator system
• Washington Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety

Regulations in Other States

• State Pipeline Profiles - U. S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety Stakeholders

Regulations in Canada

• National Energy Board (NEB) is responsible for pipeline safety in Canada. While Canadian laws are different from those of the United States, the NEB's website contains useful educational information for persons researching pipeline safety issues.