FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 2, 2001
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Damon A. Hill
Telephone: 202-366-4831
RSPA 09-01
Transportation
Department Takes Action to Improve Pipeline Accident Reporting
To
enhance the performance of its safety mission, the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s (DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has
announced plans to lower the reporting threshold for hazardous liquid pipeline
accidents from 50 barrels to 5 gallons, heightening the quantity, quality, and
usefulness of reported accident information.
A barrel is equal to 42 gallons.
“Strengthening
our understanding of the cause and consequences of pipeline failures is an
important priority for our agency,” said Edward A. Brigham, Acting Deputy
Administrator for RSPA, the agency that oversees the Office of Pipeline Safety. “Better safety information will be a cornerstone of a new
pipeline integrity management program for transporting hazardous liquids through
populated and unusually sensitive environmental areas and waterways.”
The
proposed rule invites comments on plans to revise the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline
Accident Form, improving the cause, consequence, and other detailed information
collected on reportable hazardous liquid pipeline accidents. DOT’s Office of
the Inspector General, the National Transportation Safety Board and Congress
have all advised RSPA to act to improve safety data. RSPA announced proposed
changes to Natural Gas Transmission Accident and Annual Report forms in August
2000.
RSPA’s
regulatory authority covers approximately 2 million miles of natural gas and
hazardous liquid pipelines and over 100 liquefied natural gas facilities.
RSPA’s pipeline mission is to ensure the safe, reliable, and
environmentally sound operation of the nation’s pipeline transportation
system.
The
proposal was published in the March 20, 2001 edition of the Federal Register.
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