National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety
Congressional Mandate
Who We Are
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) established the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Safety in 2023 under the authority and direction of Section 111 of the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020.
The PIPES Act of 2020 defines the purpose of the Center as:
"...to enhance the United States as the leader and foremost expert in LNG operations by –
- furthering the expertise of the Federal Government in the operations, management, and regulatory practices of LNG facilities...
- acting as a repository of information on best practices for the operation of LNG facilities; and
- facilitating collaboration among LNG sector stakeholders."
To advance this purpose, the Center works to improve coordination between federal regulatory agencies, support collaborative regulatory oversight of LNG facilities, and aid agencies in addressing initiatives on safety, security, and the environment relevant to LNG facilities.
Mission
Our mission is to make the United States of America the global leader in LNG safety and innovation.
We advance expertise, champion the highest standards, and drive stakeholder collaboration to ensure excellence and safety.
Vision
Our vision is to enhance LNG safety and excellence worldwide, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment to achieve the highest standards and ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.
Core Services
PHMSA has established four core services designed to support the Center's mission and strategic goals. These interrelated services are integral to our vision, with each core service encompassing a range of activities that contribute to PHMSA's overall objectives and ensure the Center fulfills Section 111 of the PIPES Act of 2020.
The regulatory framework governing the LNG community is complex and includes many federal, state, and local agencies, with varying levels of jurisdiction. Within this framework, we will coordinate and partner with regulators. This collaboration will facilitate enhanced coordination amongst stakeholders to advance safety and security initiatives in the sector and gather input on the impacts of existing and prospective advancements to share across agencies.
The Center is responsible for key PHMSA research activities related to LNG, including identifying crucial areas of investigation, proactively identifying relevant LNG research topics, and distributing research results. We will continue to invest in future LNG research to address LNG facilities' safety risks and operational challenges, as well as foster the development of scientific methods used as best practices for performance-based regulations to advance LNG safety. Under Section 111 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-260), Congress has appropriated funding for the Center specifically allocated for LNG-focused research. We are poised to serve a pivotal role in LNG research activities and in collaboration with LNG sector stakeholders, including academic and private-sector partners, national laboratories, and nongovernmental organizations.
According to Section 111 of the PIPES Act of 2020, the Center shall enhance the United States as the leader and foremost expert in LNG operations by acting as a repository of information on best practices for the operation of LNG facilities. Our goal is to share information on best practices to facilitate continuous learning and expertise for the community and foster collaboration with LNG sector stakeholders through engaging platforms. The knowledge gained from our activities will be shared with our federal and state regulatory LNG partners and public stakeholders, as appropriate. We believe this level of information sharing is critical and allows for greater data accessibility and timeliness for our stakeholders, which will enhance LNG safety in the industry.
We will equip stakeholders with the information they need to further enhance the safety of LNG operations. We will facilitate and promote collaboration and partnerships among our many stakeholder groups through the use of various communication tools and multiple in-person and virtual events.
Last updated: Thursday, November 21, 2024