COVID-19 Procedures: All business with the Commission should be through electronic filing systems, email, or by telephone. For public health safety, in-person visits to SCC offices are suspended. Filings or other deliveries are permitted by drop off at main entrance. On-site staff is minimal and processing of such deliveries may be delayed.
Pipeline Safety
The federal pipeline safety statutes found at 49 U.S.C. § 60101 et seq., require the Secretary of Transportation to establish minimum federal safety standards for pipeline transportation and pipeline facilities. The Secretary is further authorized to delegate to an appropriate state agency the authority to prescribe safety standards and enforce compliance with such standards over jurisdictional pipeline facilities used for intrastate transportation.
The State Corporation Commission has been designated as the appropriate state agency for the Commonwealth of Virginia to prescribe and enforce compliance with standards for jurisdictional pipeline facilities used for intrastate transportation. In Case No. PUE-1989-00052, the Commission adopted Parts 191, 192, 193, and 199 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations to serve as minimum gas pipeline safety standards in Virginia. The Commission is authorized to enforce the standards for natural gas facilities under § 56-257.2 B of the Code of Virginia, which allows the Commission to impose the fines and penalties authorized therein.
In Case No. PUE-1994-00070, the Commission adopted Parts 195 and 199 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations to serve as minimum intrastate hazardous liquids pipeline safety standards. The Commission is authorized to enforce the standards for liquid pipeline facilities under § 56-555 of the Code, which allows the Commission to impose the fines and penalties authorized therein.
The Commission's Division of Utility and Railroad Safety is charged with the investigation of each jurisdictional operator's compliance with the safety standards. Annually, the Division conducts various inspections of records, programs, construction, and operation and maintenance activities involving these operators.
Adopted Code of Federal Regulations:
- Part 191 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Part 192 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Part 193 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Part 195 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Part 199 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Pipeline Safety Program Metrics
Guidance Documents:
- Procedural Guidelines for Enforcement of Pipeline Safety Standards
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas: A Guide to Understanding Regulatory Requirements in Virginia
Related links: