Leadership exodus at pipeline safety agency increases concerns

Several senior leaders from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are leaving their positions. This includes the head of the Office of Pipeline Safety. The departures come after a buyout offer from Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency. With these exits, over half of the senior leadership roles at PHMSA will be vacant. The agency, which oversees many miles of pipelines in the U.S., is already facing staffing challenges. Pipeline inspectors cannot take buyouts, but the agency has laid off some other staff members. These changes occur as the Trump administration pushes to reduce regulations and increase pipeline construction. PHMSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, had about 650 employees as of May 2024. Bill Caram, director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, expressed concern about the agency's capacity to manage new pipeline projects. He noted the need for more resources as new types of pipelines are developed, particularly for carbon capture. A spokesperson for PHMSA stated that the agency continues to prioritize public safety in overseeing hazardous materials transportation. However, filling vacant positions may be a challenge, as PHMSA competes with the private sector for talent. Concerns are also rising about employee morale among the remaining staff. Richard Kuprewicz, a safety engineer, warned that the downsizing could worsen the agency's performance. The agency responds to around 600 incidents yearly. A recent case involved a jet fuel leak in Pennsylvania that contaminated local water wells. The incident, linked to Sunoco Pipeline LP, is now being investigated for potential environmental crimes. PHMSA's funding situation is also uncertain. Although Congress increased its budget for 2024, further funding remains unclear. The agency has struggled to meet its reimbursement threshold for state pipeline inspection programs in recent years. Concerns are growing that budget cuts could affect safety inspections. Both Pennsylvania officials and lawmakers are pushing for the shutdown of the Energy Transfer pipeline until it is deemed safe following the jet fuel leak. They emphasize that public safety is at risk with the current staffing and funding issues in regulatory agencies.