Integrity Management Communication Team Telephone Conference Meeting:

Integrity Management Communication Team held a meeting on August 28 at 1:30 p.m. The Team discussed the content and delivery of pipeline information to be conveyed to local officials and members of the public in or near high consequence areas. The meeting was held at the Department of Transportation, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 7128, Washington, D.C. 20590.

In connection with the proposed rule on Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas, OPS plans to propose related rules governing operator communications with local public officials and agencies. To assist in this effort, the OPS Technical Advisory Committees created an Integrity Management Communications Subcommittee to focus on communications issues and to report back to the full Advisory Committee. OPS expanded this Subcommittee to form a team with equal representation from the public, government agencies, and the pipeline industry, and to consolidate several related efforts.

The Team provided feedback, insight, and information to the Advisory Committee on the content and delivery of information conveyed to local officials and public about pipeline operations, systems, and the risks they pose in or near high consequence areas. The Advisory Committee provided pipeline communication recommendations to OPS for consideration in drafting the Integrity Management Communications rulemaking. The Team assisted OPS in finalizing a primer to educate local officials on pipelines and their operations.