Home Page Photo The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a proposed rule that would establish integrity management requirements for gas distribution pipeline systems. This is the final phase of PHMSA's implementation of integrity management.

Over the past several years PHMSA has implemented new integrity management regulations for hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines. These regulations are intended to help assure pipeline integrity and improve the already good pipeline safety record. Congress and other stakeholders expressed interest in understanding the nature of similarly focused requirements for gas distribution pipelines. Significant differences in system design and local conditions affecting distribution pipeline safety preclude applying the same tools and management practices as were used for transmission pipeline systems. Therefore, PHMSA proposed a slightly different approach for distribution integrity management, following a joint effort involving PHMSA, the gas distribution industry, representatives of the public, and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives to explore potential approaches.

The notice of proposed rulemaking can be found here.

PHMSA has also developed additional guidance to help the public and the affected industry understand the requirements of the proposed rule. This additional guidance is in the form of questions and answers.