MD Damage Prevention Information
811 Before You Dig
811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Anyone who plans to dig should contact 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don’t unintentionally dig into an underground utility line. The call is free and there is no cost to you for the service. Remember, 811 Before You Dig. Every Dig. Every Time.
PHMSA Data on Excavation Damage to Pipelines in Maryland
Excavation damage to pipelines can result in deaths and injuries, as well as property and environmental damage. PHMSA has created data reports related to excavation damage to pipelines .
Summary of Maryland State Damage Prevention Law
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) developed and maintains a summary of state damage prevention laws Please visit CGA’s State Resource & Information Map for more detailed information.
Maryland Damage Prevention Program
Working with key damage prevention stakeholders in each State, PHMSA annually evaluates State damage prevention programs relative to the nine elements of effective damage prevention programs, as mandated by Congress in the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006. The evaluation is intended to help all stakeholders better understand the successes of and challenges to their state’s damage prevention program and where the program may need improvement. The evaluation also helps PHMSA determine where it can focus further assistance. More information is available regarding PHMSA's State Damage Prevention Program Evaluations and Adequacy reviews at Determinations of Adequacy.
State Damage Prevention Grants
PHMSA awards grants to fund improvements in state damage prevention programs. The purpose of the grants is to improve existing state damage prevention programs, and to establish comprehensive state damage prevention programs in states that do not currently have such programs. States are encouraged to implement the nine elements of effective damage prevention programs. Visit the State Damage Prevention Grants webpage for more information on grants awarded to Maryland.
Common Ground Alliance Regional Partner Program
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) mission of shared responsibility is facilitated through partnership with groups of local stakeholders called Regional CGAs. There are more than 70 CGA Regional Partners playing critical local roles in damage prevention in their respective geographic areas. As the local ambassadors of the CGA mission, Regional CGAs have been instrumental in creating state-wide summits and conferences, giving stakeholders who are unable to attend the national CGA annual meeting an opportunity to learn new damage prevention skills.
MD Regulatory Information
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.
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/investigators, and community liaisons operate from each of the five OPS regional offices.
Community Liaisons are available to assist the public, state or local officials, and other stakeholders with inquiries concerning pipeline safety-related matters.
OPS inspects and enforces the pipeline safety regulations for interstate gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators in Maryland.
Through certification by OPS, the state inspects and enforces the pipeline safety regulations for intrastate gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators in Maryland. This work is performed by the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Contact Information
Performance Metrics
The PHMSA state program performance metrics were developed to evaluate state pipeline safety regulatory programs. These metrics assess performance in six key areas, including oversight of intrastate pipelines systems and compliance with federal regulations. PHMSA conducts thorough evaluations annually to support these metrics, which are essential for allocating grant-in-aid funds to state agencies.
Pipeline Safety Program Performance Metrics
Official State Website
Disclaimer: Links to web sites outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT) are offered for your convenience in accessing related information. Please be aware that when you exit the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) web site, the privacy policy stated on our web site may NOT be the same as that on other web sites. OPS takes no responsibility for and exercises no control over the organization, views, or accuracy of the information contained on their servers.