The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives has published a Compendium of State Requirements & Initiatives Compared to Code of Federal Regulations. It and related documents can be accessed at http://www.napsr.org/compendium.html
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Randy Knepper
603-271-6026
randy.knepper@puc.nh.gov
Harrisburg, PA
November 8, 2011
New Report Finds State Pipeline Safety Programs Stricter than Federal Requirements
A newly released compendium of gas pipeline regulations around the country reveals that States implement stricter rules and laws than required by the federal government. The Compendium of State Pipeline Safety Requirements & Initiatives Providing Increased Public Safety Levels report, authored by the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) and sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, demonstrates that the large majority of State agencies enforce requirements above and beyond those mandated by federal policies.
This detailed and thoroughly researched resource, available at http://www.napsr.org/compendium.html for the first time presents applicable State pipeline safety regulations and demonstrates where they exceed federal code. As shown, the vast majority of State pipeline safety agencies are enforcing numerous actions that surpass federal requirements to enhance gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety in response to local needs.
As this exhaustive report shows, State pipeline inspectors are working hard to ensure the safety of our nations pipeline infrastructure, said NARUC President Tony Clark of North Dakota. The federalist model of our government system lets States implement rules and requirements that suit their needs, and I am proud of the work of my colleagues across the country. My thanks to NAPSR for compiling this information.
More than 1,100 separate State provisions are identified in this document as being aimed at particular local conditions in each of the lower 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These provisions are grouped into 22 separate categories, of which the top three are Enhanced Reporting, with 23% of the initiatives, followed by Design/Installation Requirements, with 13% of the initiatives, and Leak Survey/Leak Response with 12%.
The document also confirms States most frequently exceed federal requirements in the area of pipeline operations, maintenance, and reporting.
Although all State programs are certified by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation that they will adopt regulations at least as stringent as the federal pipeline safety regulations, most have adopted more stringent safety regulations that only the States can enforce, NAPSR Chairman Paul Metro said. This is a tremendous advantage since our inspectors not only are employed by their respective State government agency but have the inherent understanding, familiarity and concerns of the public that is impacted the most.
Metro also said each State determines whether their individual situation demands safety rules stricter than the federal requirements. States must adhere to the federal standards, but each determines whether their own situation and conditions demand additional safety measures, he said.