GAO's Views on Selected Aspects of the Department of Transportation's Pipeline Safety Program

GAO discussed the Department of Transportation's (DOT) pipeline safety program, focusing on: (1) DOT ideas on the realignment of federal and state pipeline safety responsibilities; (2) improvements necessary in pipeline safety data systems; (3) areas DOT should emphasize in pipeline safety research; (4) effective utilization of pipeline safety technical advisory committees; and (5) the feasibility of implementing user fees for interstate pipeline companies and preempting the right of states to charge such fees. GAO stated that: (1) DOT is studying federal and state pipeline responsibilities and focusing on financial alternatives for state participation in the program, the impact of those alternatives on pipeline inspections, and necessary legislative changes; (2) the pipeline safety data system has numerous problems, including inaccurate source data, duplication, untimely data entry, and the system's inability to integrate data from several sources; (3) the pipeline safety research program appears to be addressing issues that warrant attention; (4) recent changes in the use of technical advisory committees should increase their effectiveness; and (5) while DOT could legally and feasibly impose user fees on interstate pipeline companies, the preemption of existing state user fees would require legislation.