The Source - Fall 2008 - (Page 32)

Q&A implementation of the new rule and its initial inspections. PHMSA will work with the committee and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives to help assure consistent implementation of distribution integrity management throughout the United States. Can you explain for our readers what DOT means when it says it is taking an “enterprise” approach? An “enterprise approach” refers to bringing stakeholders together to collectively discuss, establish, and implement solutions to improve all aspects of America’s transportation system. Our greater enterprise includes other government agencies, industry, the public, and non-governmental entities with a stake in transportation–all working together to achieve a common objective. How does DOT work with the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies with security responsibilities to address the security aspects of pipeline safety? The Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security maintain a high-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that broadly addresses both agencies’ roles in transportation security matters. For pipelines, PHMSA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have an agreement that establishes TSA as the lead in security matters with PHMSA support. With gas prices at record highs, getting more supplies to market is a priority. What is DOT doing to ensure that pipelines are constructed to bring new supplies to market in a timely manner? The Department’s role in pipeline safety is to maintain a U.S. energy pipeline delivery network that is both safe and reliable and one the public can trust. We found that improved technologies that help extend the life of a pipeline provide opportunity to ease supply constraints. On a case-by-case basis, we are allowing operators to safely increase the capacity of certain existing energy pipelines to more efficiently move energy supplies to market. These operators must adhere to special conditions imposing additional safety standards. What does DOT see as its role in recovery from disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Rita? As in the time before hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Department of Transportation is the lead agency in federal efforts to restore transportation infrastructure affected by disasters. In cases of emergency, PHMSA maintains contact with federal, state and pipeline company officials in the affected areas to monitor any disruptions to energy flow. PHMSA then works with pipeline operators and other government officials to safely and quickly restore service to pipelines damaged by any events. The last few years have seen major new pipeline safety regulations like public awareness, major changes to operator qualiﬁcation enforcement, and the upcoming DIMP rule. What do you see as the major pipeline safety issues for the coming years? We believe recent and future pipeline safety regulation upgrades are solid investments in public safety and corporate risk management, and that they will continue to serve the public for years to come. We believe that with the conclusion of DIMP rule, most of the major regulatory foundation will have been laid as it relates to municipal gas operators. Clearly the major issue going forward will be successful implementation of these new requirements. I appreciate the solid partnership that APGA has built with the DOT and PHMSA. Working together, we can ensure that our citizens can reliably get the energy they need—safely and cleanly. From left to right…Kyle Jones, City Councilman, Mesa, AZ, Secretary Mary Peters, and Mike Comstock, acting gas division director, City of Mesa, AZ. 32 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Fall 2008

The Source - Fall 2008 Contents First Person APGA Awards APGA Events Overview Up Next in THE SOURCE Grassroots Connections Climate Change Legislation Market Transparency: An Insider's View Legislative Outlook The Pipeline Marketing Matters Advertisers' Index At Last

The Source - Fall 2008

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