The Pennsylvania legislature has empowered the Public Utility Commission to direct and enforce safety standards for pipeline facilities and to regulate safety practices of certificated operators engaged in the transportation of natural gas and other gas by pipeline. The Public Utility Commission also has authority to enforce federal pipeline safety laws as they relate to non-public gas operators and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities within Pennsylvania, including cooperatively owned natural gas distribution systems, non-utility natural gas transportation, and gathering lines and propane distribution systems. More information about non-public utility pipelines may be found on the PA PUC Act 127 (Pipeline Act) page.
The Commission is annually authorized and certified to enforce federal safety standards by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety per 49 U.S.C. 60105. Under a 60105 Certification, the State Agency assumes inspection and enforcement responsibility with respect to intrastate facilities over which it has jurisdiction under State law. With a Certification, the State Agency may adopt additional or more stringent standards for intrastate pipeline facilities provided such standards are compatible with Federal regulations. 49 U.S.C. Chapter 601 provides the statutory basis for the pipeline safety program and establishes a framework for promoting pipeline safety through exclusive Federal authority for regulation of interstate pipeline facilities and State authority for all or part of the intrastate pipeline facilities under annual Certification.
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