About the Office

The Office of Planning and Analytics (OPA) enhances PHMSA's planning and program management, data analysis, and rulemaking capabilities. OPA is a cross-cutting office that improves PHMSA's capabilities with respect to strategic planning, process management, information assessment, and rulemaking.

The senior executive leading this effort is the Associate Administrator for Planning and Analytics.

Strategic Planning and Process Management Division

The Strategic Planning and Process Management Division coordinates PHMSA's input to the DOT Annual Performance Plan and Performance Report. The division supports regulatory coordination and facilitation by working with the PHMSA program offices to look for opportunities to reduce delays and improve the quality of PHMSA's rulemakings. The division also serves as the central point of contact for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Data, Strategy and Analytics Division

The Data Strategy and Analytics Division develops PHMSA's data strategy and governance approach, oversees and advises agency leadership on designing, building, and implementing analytics models and reports to support safety programs, and develops ways to visualize data and communicate insights. The division also coordinates PHMSA’s Research & Development (R&D) projects that will increase the safety and reliability of the nation's pipelines and hazardous materials transportation and the Annual Modal Research Plan (AMRP).

Economic Research and Regulatory Analysis Division

The Economic Research and Regulatory Analysis Division conducts analysis on economic and industry context and trends that may impact policies and programs and establishes and executes the agency's methodology for regulatory impact analysis. The division manages the process of developing regulatory impact analyses and regulatory flexibility analyses to support PHMSA's Rulemaking process. The division also conducts economic research to evaluate the effectiveness of PHMSA' rulemaking process.

Environmental Analysis and Compliance Division

PHMSA's environmental staff are responsible for managing the environmental review process for PHMSA actions that are subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including rulemakings, special permits (also known as regulatory waivers), certain grant programs, and implementation of PHMSA's regulations relating to the environmental analysis and review for pipeline safety and hazardous materials safety. The Division also provides technical assistance to PHMSA leadership on environmental justice initiatives.

Management

• Associate Administrator
  Acting Associate Administrator, William “Bill” Schoonover
   
• Senior Research Advisor & Chief Data Officer
  Vacant
   
• Senior Advisor for Environmental Policy Analysis
  Tricia Harr
   
• Director, Strategic Planning & Process Management Division
  Jennifer Antonielli
   
• Director, Economic Research & Regulatory Analysis Division
  Ermias Weldemicael
   
• Director, Environmental Analysis and Compliance Division
  Carolyn Nelson
   
• Administrative Officer
  Sheara Jemison