Pipeline Safety Inspection Program Earns Top Marks

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) is proud to announce that its Pipeline Safety Inspection Program earned top scores in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) annual evaluation.

As Montana’s certified inspection authority, the PSC oversees all intrastate natural gas pipelines, including transmission lines, distribution mains and services, and storage facilities. Safety inspections are carried out by PSC Program Manager, Joel Tierney, and two highly trained engineers, Sam Harworth and Marianne Sims, who work year-round to ensure the safety and reliability of the state’s pipeline systems.

Each year, PHMSA conducts a rigorous on-site review of state inspection programs, assessing:

• The effectiveness of damage prevention programs
• The scope and quality of inspections
• The training and expertise of inspectors
• Leak management and incident response procedures
• Enforcement of safety regulations
• Accuracy of incident investigations

The PSC team manages two safety programs:

1. Underground Natural Gas Storage Program – The Commission storage program consists of a natural gas storage operator who has three different storage fields throughout Montana.  The storage fields contain approximately 80 natural gas storage wells within the three storage fields.
   • Score: 107 out of 107 points
2. Base Natural Gas Inspection Program – The Commission’s largest program covers three private natural gas distribution operators, one municipal gas operator, four propane operators, one liquefied natural gas operator, four transmission operators, and two gathering operators. This program monitors more than 322,000 natural gas services to homes, 7,700 miles of distribution main lines, and 2,200 miles of transmission lines.
   • Score: 100 out of 100 points

“These results are a direct reflection of the professionalism, expertise, and dedication of our inspection team,” said Will Rosquist, PSC Chief Regulator. “Montana’s natural gas systems are being monitored to the highest federal safety standards. We are extremely proud of our staff for achieving these perfect scores, which demonstrate the Commission’s continuous commitment to public safety.”

The Montana PSC remains dedicated to protecting communities, ensuring reliable energy delivery, and holding operators accountable through rigorous oversight and enforcement.

The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and intrastate railroad safety. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities while paying reasonable rates. For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact the Commission at 1-800-646-6150.  Follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.