Commission’s Pipeline Safety Division Receives Perfect Score from Department of Transportation Audit 

The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA) ranked the Commission Pipeline Safety Section at a perfect 100 score on its yearly audit. 

PHSMA’s audit ensures states meet federal safety standards and provides significant grant money for those divisions that do.  PHSMA reimburses 80 % of operating costs to agencies that meet or exceed the standards.  The Commission’s Safety Division will receive a reimbursement of $1.2 million. The Safety Division audits 27 companies statewide and there are 38,442 miles of main and service distribution pipeline in the state serving 1.3 million customers.  Over the past six years, the Division has received a score of 99 or higher on PHSMA evaluations.    

 “The Safety Division’s work is something that impacts every person in the state,” said Chairman Doug Little.  “This Division has set the bar high and continues to reach higher to ensure the public’s safety and reliable services statewide.” 

The Commission’s Safety Division is the only one in the nation that has a master meter operator course and equipment loan out program for master meter operators to have access to aid in compliance of the state and federal regulations. Commission inspectors are performing at the same level as federal inspectors as well as completing more Training and Qualification classes than most federal or state inspectors around the country.  The training courses are a model for other divisions around the country. 

The Commissioners recognized the Division at the start of today’s Open Meeting, August 9, 2016.