RSPA is making changes in the procedures and policy by which its Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) addresses alleged deficiencies in operators' required plans and procedures. OPS administers a statutory process for amending plans and procedures it finds to be inadequate to achieve safe operations. Until now, this process has required that pipeline operators amend plans and procedures. that OPS finds inadequate, but has not subjected operators to other enforcement sanctions. As of the effective date of this action, operators will be subject to all enforcement sanctions under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended, and the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, as amended, for failure to maintain all plans and procedures in accordance with applicable requirements. This action is necessary to assure that operators' plans and procedures are adequate to achieve safe operations.