US considers new safety requirements for gas transmission pipelines

A federal advisory committee is considering new safety requirements for gas transmission pipelines. The group, which first met on July 18 in Washington, DC, is sponsored by the Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety, and will conduct peer review for the cost/benefit analysis to support rulemaking on integrity management programs for gas transmission pipelines.

DOT expects to propose a rule requiring such programs later this year. The committee will also consider a January 9 notice of proposed rulemaking to define areas of high consequence-areas for which integrity management would be required because a pipeline accident could be unusually severe for people, property, or the environment.