Jennifer McClellan on Pipeline Safety and Public Access to Information

Pipeline Incidents in Virginia

• ⚠️ Several pipeline incidents in Virginia have highlighted concerns regarding the Mountain Valley pipeline, including water contamination and pipe failures.
• 💡 A section of the Mountain Valley pipeline failed during hydro testing in 2024, and a TC Energy natural gas pipeline exploded in 2023, underscoring the need for robust safety programs.

PHMSA's Role and Responsibilities

• 🎯 PHMSA has critical responsibilities in conducting testing during construction, investigating failures, and imposing corrective actions.
• 🛠️ The committee must ensure PHMSA has adequate personnel and resources to carry out its vital responsibilities for community safety.
• 📉 Concerns exist about the impact of workforce cuts at PHMSA on its ability to progress in public engagement.

Community Engagement and Pollution Prevention

• 💬 Farmers and landowners have sought more communication and engagement from PHMSA regarding risks to their land and water resources.
• 📈 An office of public engagement at PHMSA is recommended to improve historical weaknesses in public outreach.

Corrosion Control and Pipeline Integrity

• 🌊 Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, exacerbated by climate change, are accelerating pipe degradation, particularly in coastal areas.
• 🛡️ Defenses against corrosion include coding (first line of defense) and cathodic protection (second line of defense).
• 📝 Regulations on the condition of coding are vague, leaving much to operator judgment; incorporating prescriptions from consent orders, like those with the Mountain Valley Pipeline, could improve regulations.

Emerging Threats

• 🔒 Cybersecurity is an important concern for pipelines, and the effectiveness of PHMSA and DHS CISA in monitoring and combating these threats needs consideration.