Pipeline Safety Engagement Act of 2025
The Pipeline Safety Engagement Act of 2025 would require the Secretary of Transportation to rename the Community Liaison Services within the Office of Pipeline Safety (a unit of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, PHMSA) as the Office of Public Engagement within one year of enactment. The renamed office would have duties focused on proactive outreach to pipeline stakeholders (the public, pipeline operators, public safety groups, and state, local, and Tribal governments) to raise safety awareness, encourage use of safety programs, inform the public about safety regulations and best practices, and assist with pipeline safety inquiries. The bill also requires that the office’s activities and information be accessible to the public, preserve positions known as community liaisons, and culminates in a Congress-facing report within 18 months detailing implementation. The core aim is to enhance public engagement and transparency in pipeline safety.
Key Points
- 1Name change: Within one year of enactment, rename the Community Liaison Services (in PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety) as the Office of Public Engagement.
- 2Expanded duties: Proactively engage with stakeholders (public, operators, public safety groups, and State/local/Tribal officials) to raise awareness of pipeline safety, promote safety programs, inform the public about regulations and best practices, and assist the public with inquiries.
- 3Public accessibility: Ensure the Office’s activities and information products are accessible to the public.
- 4Continuation of roles: Incorporate positions known as “community liaisons” into the renamed Office (i.e., preserve or rebrand existing liaison roles under the new office).
- 5reporting requirement: By 18 months after enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the implementation of these changes.