Pipeline Safety

Topics:

Natural gas pipelines
Pipeline safety

Federal authority and IUC jurisdiction

Pipeline safety laws fall under federal authority in Title 49, United States Code, chapter 601, Safety.

Title 49 creates the framework for promoting safety of interstate pipeline facilities under federal authority. States are delegated all or part of the responsibility for intrastate pipeline facilities through an annual certification or agreement.

The law empowers the IUC to obtain certification from the federal government to regulate gas pipeline safety for intrastate natural gas operators.

IUC's Safety and Engineering staff enforce pipeline safety rules under the following federal rules:

Additionally, state safety regulations are found at 199 Iowa Administrative Code under the following:

IUC Safety & Engineering staff inspect:

  • 63 natural gas distribution system operators
  • 1 LPG distribution system operator
  • 34 intrastate pipeline operators
  • 5 interstate natural gas transmission pipeline operators

Inspections ensure that gas operators are in compliance with federal and state pipeline safety standards. The IUC works closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) State Programs to ensure pipelines are safely operated and maintained.

IUC inspection process

The IUC takes a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety of natural gas pipelines within the state, conducting inspections in close partnership with PHMSA. As an agent for PHMSA, the IUC enforces the minimum federal safety standards for the transportation of natural and other gas by pipeline, as outlined in 49 CFR Part 192. This federal regulation provides a detailed framework for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of pipeline systems, and the IUC's inspection program is designed to verify that all natural gas operators in Iowa are in full compliance with these critical safety standards. 

IUC safety and engineering staff conduct thorough reviews of each operator's plans, procedures, and records to ensure they meet the requirements of Part 192. This includes:

  • examining the operator's public awareness program , emergency response plans, and integrity management program,

  • and identifying and mitigating risks to the pipeline systems. 

We also conduct on-site inspections of pipeline facilities to verify that they are being operated and maintained in a safe and responsible manner. That includes:

  • compressor stations, 

  • meter and regulator stations, 

  • and construction projects.

During an inspection, IUC inspectors examine the physical condition of the pipeline and its components, looking for signs of corrosion, damage, or other potential safety issues. Operator records are also reviewed to ensure that all required tests and inspections have been completed and that any necessary repairs have been made in a timely manner. 

If any deficiencies are identified, the IUC works with the operator to develop an action plan to bring the system back into full compliance. 

IUC inspection reports and any utility responses are filed in our  electronic filing system (EFS).

You can view Iowa pipeline data — including pipeline safety program performance metrics and the state's incident trends, mileages and facilities, and enforcement — on the PHMSA website.

Pipelines outside of IUC jurisdiction

While the IUC oversees many aspects of pipeline safety and regulation within the state, there are specific areas that fall outside of our jurisdiction. 

The IUC does not have safety authority over hazardous liquid pipelines, which includes pipelines carrying crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other hazardous liquids.  The safety of these pipelines is the exclusive responsibility of the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). 

Also, the IUC's authority does not extend to interstate pipelines that cross state lines. The regulation of these pipelines falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The IUC also does not regulate any privately owned propane gas services.

Transportation of natural gas

The safest way to transport natural gas is through pipelines. As long as natural gas flows through a closed controlled system, it remains a safe product. If the gas escapes from a pipeline, it has the potential to be a hazard to life, property, and the environment.

Many factors contribute to pipeline failures. Federal data indicates that "outside force" damage is the largest single specified cause of all pipeline accidents. Outside force damage generally occurs when someone is digging or excavating near the pipeline.

Other causes of pipeline accidents and incidents are categorized and include:

  • construction errors
  • material defects
  • pipeline corrosion, both internal and external
  • operator error (incorrect operation by operator personnel)
  • malfunction of control systems or relief equipment

Searching for inspection reports

Inspection reports and utility responses are filed in EFS in each company's natural gas reports (RG) docket.

To search for these documents:

  • click the EFS link
  • select Search from the top navigation menu
  • scroll down to Docket Search

When the docket search screen opens:

  • select RG - Reports, Natural Gas from the Docket Type drop-down box
  • select the company name from the Participants drop-down box
  • click the Add button to add the company to the search parameters

After entering the search terms:

  • click the Search button to display the company's RG-Docket Summary Page
  • click on the Documents in EFS link to display the list of documents on file for that company.

Searching for Incident Reports

Incident (or accident) reports are also on file in EFS in each company's accidents and outages (H) docket. To search for an incident report:

  • click the EFS link
  • select Search from the top navigation menu
  • scroll down to Docket Search
  • open a docket search screen and Select H - Accident -- Outages from the Docket Type drop-down box
  • select the company name from the Participants drop down box
  • click the Add button to add the company to the search parameters

To narrow the search to natural gas service incidents only:

  • click Gas in the Industry Type box
  • enter the search terms
  • click the Search button to display the company's H-Docket Summary Page
  • click on the Documents in EFS link to display the list of documents on file in that company's H-Docket

Additional pipeline safety resources

PHMSA Safety Performance Listings by State
Iowa One Call
Common Ground Iowa
Call 811 (National)
Pipeline and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA)
Emergency contact information for railroads and public utilities    
Utility Safety Tips
National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) - To view current maps - including gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines, liquefied natural gas plants, and accidents and incidents - you can click on the public map viewer mode, then select the state and county you wish to search. An instructional video is available on the map viewer's Help menu.

IUC-PHMSA TQ Pipeline Safety Conference held in February 2025

The IUC hosted its latest TQ Pipeline Safety Conference in February 2025. Click on the links below to review the conference materials and download presentations. More materials will be added soon!

The next IUC-PHMSA TQ Pipeline Safety Conference is scheduled for 2028. 

IUC Pipeline Safety Program contacts

Sanel Lisinovic
Pipeline Bureau Chief/PHMSA Program Manager
Safety and Engineering  
sanel.lisinovic@iuc.iowa.gov
515-518-5144

Media Inquiries  

Melissa Myers
Communications Director
melissa.myers@iuc.iowa.gov
515-725-7306