Why is PHMSA proposing integrity management requirements for distribution pipeline systems?
The prescriptive regulations that historically have been used by PHMSA have contributed to producing an admirable safety record. Nevertheless, accidents continue to occur, some of which involve significant consequences, including death and injury. These accidents often involve unique circumstances or weaknesses of a particular pipeline system/ segment or its operation. PHMSA concluded that it was not practical to impose prescriptive requirements on the entire pipeline industry that would further minimize the likelihood of future accidents in a cost-effective manner. Instead, PHMSA concluded that it was necessary to require that pipeline operators analyze their particular pipeline systems, circumstances and programs to identify potential weaknesses that could result in high consequence accidents and to address those weaknesses before accidents could occur. PHMSA implemented this approach through its integrity management regulations, beginning first with hazardous liquid pipelines and ne
