The Georgia Public Service Commission's (GPSC or Commission) Pipeline Safety Division is responsible
for protecting the public and environment from the risks inherent in the transportation of natural gas or other hazardous
liquid products. Through an annual certification with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
the GPSC enforces minimum safety regulations for all jurisdictional intrastate gas pipelines in Georgia. These regulations
are written to ensure safety in the (1) design, construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of pipeline facilities
and (2) siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of liquefied natural gas facilities. The GPSC ensures compliance
with regulations through operator inspections, enforcement actions, and accident investigations. The Commission's Pipeline
Safety Division does not have jurisdiction over interstate pipelines, liquid pipelines (gasoline, carbon dioxide, etc.),
or siting of any underground facilities.
The GPSC Pipeline Safety Staff consists of engineers and inspectors trained by the PHMSA Training and
Qualification Program (TQ) in application of the Federal Regulations. Required safety inspections are performed on a
minimum five-year basis for the gas systems to ensure compliance with the Federal Regulations. The types of inspections
include, but are not limited to, comprehensive inspections, operator qualifications, public awareness programs, system
integrity management programs, drug and alcohol programs, and accident investigations.
The GPSC will continue to conduct investigations of all natural gas incidents that result in property
damage of at least $50,000. The GPSC will also investigate all incidents that require notice to the Federal Office of
Pipeline Safety in accordance the Federal Regulations. These investigations will culminate in written reports and pertinent
photographs kept on file at the GPSC, with copies available to the public, upon request.
All operators are reminded to use one of the following phone numbers to report incidents. Please
refer to your emergency plans for the inspector to contact in your area.
Click here to download a copy of this list.
Georgia State Program Metrics
- As part of its annual grant evaluation process, PHMSA performs thorough evaluations of each state pipeline safety regulatory
program. To support this evaluation PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) have developed
a set of performance metrics. Please click here
to review these metrics.
Operators