DOT launches pipeline safety action plan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood launched a national pipeline safety initiative to repair and replace aging pipelines to prevent potentially catastrophic incidents. LaHood called upon U.S. pipeline owners and operators to conduct a comprehensive review of their oil and gas pipelines to identify areas of high risk and accelerate critical repair and replacement work. He also announced federal legislation aimed at strengthening oversight on pipeline safety. To help facilitate improvements in pipeline safety, the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced $2.010 million in grants for 24 states. The grants will help states establish or improve underground pipeline damage prevention programs. PHMSA also launched a new Pipeline Safety Awareness website (http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/pipelineforum/), which will provide the public, community planners and developers an easy-to-understand, accessible place for information and guidance on locating area pipelines.