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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002

The PSIA-2002 mandates that the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Department of Commerce (DOC) "shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities."

The Five-Year R&D Program Plan identifies program elements, as well as specific areas of agency expertise, and establishes a framework for coordination and collaboration by the participating agencies. The participating agencies agree to work together on the development and application of performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of pipeline facility research, development, and demonstration projects. While it was not one of the agencies formally mandated to participate, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) contributed to the development of the initial plan and has been part of the interagency group since its inception.

In order to stay focused on the collaboration and coordination of the PSIA 2002 group activities, quarterly coordination meetings are held.

Interagency Research and Development Five-Year Program Plan For Pipeline Safety and Integrity:

Interagency Update Reports to Congress:

Memorandum of Understanding Among The Department of Transportation, Department of Energy And The National Institute of Standards And Technology:

Interagency Presentation:

Interagency Research Program Links & Contacts:

PHMSA Contacts
Robert Smith
R&D Manager
Office: (202) 366-3814
Fax: (202) 366-4566
Email: robert.w.smith@dot.gov
Joshua Arnold
R&D Manager
Office: (202) 366-6085
Fax: (202) 366-4566
Email: joshua.arnold@dot.gov
National Energy Technology Laboratory
Christopher Freitas
Program Manager
Natural Gas Storage & Pipeline Reliability
Office: (202) 586-1657
Email: christopher.freitas@hq.doe.gov
 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Contacts
Nicholas Barbosa
Structural Materials Group Leader
Office: (303) 497-3445
Email: nicholas.barbosa@nist.gov
 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Contacts
    Michael Else
 Pipeline Research Team Leader
Office: (703) 787-1769
Fax: (703) 787-1549
Email: michael.else@boemre.gov