PHMSA Publishes PSMS Advisory Bulletin, Secretary Duffy Supports

By Erin Kurilla posted 03-27-2025 11:05 AM

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On March 25, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued the long-awaited Advisory Bulletin on Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS). Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, also took this opportunity to encourage all regulated pipeline owners and operators to voluntarily adopt PSMS. Secretary Duffy stated, “We are committed to carrying out President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy in all ways – big and small. Here at the Department of Transportation, that mission includes ensuring our natural resources can efficiently and securely reach consumers. Enhancing pipeline safety through innovative management systems is just one way we can boost our energy security and lower costs for the American people”. Additionally, PHMSA Acting Administrator Ben Kochman stated, “Safety Management Systems bring about a much-needed evolution of internal pipeline safety management structures, policies, and procedures that will ultimately lead us to achieve our goal of zero incident. We encourage all regulated pipeline owners and operators to fully embrace the continuous improvement and enhanced safety benefits that come with implementing a pipeline SMS.”

The Advisory Bulletin (ADB) is in response to both a congressional mandate from the PIPES Act of 2020 and a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Recommendation following the underwater pipeline incident in San Pedro Bay, CA. Throughout the ADB, PHMSA emphasizes the importance of a strong safety culture – regardless of the size of the organization and the recognition that any PSMS has to be scaled appropriately for the size of the system and the number of employees.

From the ADB directly:

“PHMSA strongly encourages regulated pipeline owners and operators to take the following actions to strengthen their pipeline safety programs:

Implement a PSMS program and ensure that the program covers all essential elements of an effective PSMS, such as those in API RP 1173.
Ensure the PSMS program continuously evolves and improves.
Maintain a positive safety culture that continually promotes diligence throughout the operator’s organization and addresses issues that can erode the safety culture."

During a recent conversation with PHMSA leadership, APGA urged PHMSA to ensure that state regulators are properly trained on how to treat this ADB. PHMSA reemphasized their position that implementation of PSMS must remain voluntary and this ADB in no way indicates a change in that position.

APGA has developed tools and held many webinars to assist members and small operators with understanding PSMS and what they might be able to do at their system to align with the goals of API RP 1173. Additionally, the SIF is pursuing the development of a tool to assist small operators through the PSMS education and implementation process. The goal is to release that tool in late 2025.

For questions on this article, please contact Erin Kurilla of APGA staff at ekurilla@apga.org.

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