Responsibility of Gas Utilities for Pipeline Safety

Described herein is the history of Natural Gas Pipeline Safety legislation from 1951 to 1970 and the origin of the B31.8 ANSI Code at the request of the Federal Power Commission. The writer served on the B31.8 Committee both as the representative of FPC and has continued to serve since 1962 as an industry representative and therefore has presented an insider's view of the progress of the safety regulations from both sides. The legislation adopted by Congress in 1970 and the utilization of the B31.8 Code as the keystone on which the Department of Transportation established its minimum standards are presented, many verbatim and others with language changed to set their standards in performance language. The basic theme is, however, the fact that cooperation of government and industry has proven itself and contributed to the public both in safety and service but more so in maintaining just and reasonable costs.