The federal government establishes minimum pipeline safety standards under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49 "Transportation", Parts 190 - 199. The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), within the U. S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), has overall regulatory responsibility for hazardous liquid and gas pipelines under its jurisdiction in the United States. Pertinent regulations can be found here.
OPS is headquartered in Washington, DC, and supported through five regional offices located in Trenton, NJ; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Houston, TX; and Denver, CO. OPS Regional Directors, Pipeline Inspectors, State Liaisons, and Community Assistance and Technical Services (CATS) managers operate from each of the five OPS regional offices.
CATS managers are available to assist the public, the media and state or local officials with inquiries concerning pipeline safety-related issues.
OPS regulates and enforces interstate gas and liquid pipeline safety requirements within Minnesota.
Through certification by OPS, the state of Minnesota regulates, inspects, and enforces intrastate gas and liquid pipeline safety requirements. By signed agreement with OPS, Minnesota also inspects interstate liquid and gas pipeline safety requirements. This work is performed by the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety, within the State Fire Marshal Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
The Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety also enforces the state One-Call Laws under M.S. 216D and provides education on damage prevention. The state is a member and actively supports the Common Ground Alliance national damage prevention coalition. Minnesota state regulations can be found at: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/pipeline/index.html.
Here is contact information pertaining to pipelines in Minnesota:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety / Office of Pipeline Safety
444 Cedar St., Suite 147-N, Town Square
St. Paul, MN 55101-5147
Chief Engineer: Elizabeth Skalnek
Office: 651-201-7239; Fax: 651-296-9641
E-mail: Elizabeth.Skalnek@state.mn.us
Office of Pipeline Safety - Central Region Office
901 Locust St., Room 462
Kansas City, MO 64106
Telephone: 816-329-3800
Director: Ivan Huntoon
Information Contact: Harold Winnie
Direct: 816-329-3836
E-mail: harold.winnie@dot.gov
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
East Building, Second Floor (PH)
Washington D.C. 20590-0001
Administrator: Vacant
Deputy Administrator: Vacant
Chief Safety Officer: M. Cindy Douglass
Media Contact - Director, External Communications: Patricia Klinger
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety: Jeff Wiese
Phone: 202-366-2036
Date of Revision: 061509_ljc