The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a Pipeline Safety Hearing on November 15 and 16, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The Pipeline Safety Hearing provided a forum to examine technologies available to assess the integrity of pipelines, such as the use of internal inspection tools, and the capability of pipeline operating systems to identify leaks and to prompt timely responses. The hearing also determined the status of ongoing research in these areas. The minutes and presentations from this meeting are available at http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/2000/pipeline_hearing/agenda.htm. An especially interesting set of slides, with pictures of the pipe from numerous pipeline failures is contained in the presentation at http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/2000/pipeline_hearing/Dyck_Rod.htm.

In his opening comments, Chairman Jim Hall stated: "As I mentioned earlier, RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety has begun to take action that will strengthen the Nation's pipeline safety requirements, and I want to urge the industry to support RSPA's efforts to establish national pipeline inspection and testing standards." He also stated: "Just last week, RSPA issued a final rule to require pipeline operators, who operate 500 or more miles of hazardous liquid pipeline, to establish an integrity management program for high-consequence areas. According to RSPA, this rule will cover 87 percent of all hazardous liquid pipelines. We will be examining this final rule closely. But, it appears to be the first step to ensuring that pipelines are properly inspected and tested." Note the description of the latest rulemaking as a "first step". Pipeline operating companies can expect more rulemakings to follow….