Pipeline Specific Information
State Laws and Rules
- Gas and Hazardous Pipelines Law - RCW 81.88
- Gas Pipeline Leak Reporting - RCW 81.88.160
- UTC Safety Rules - Natural Gas - WAC 480-93
- UTC Safety Rules - Hazardous Liquid - WAC 480-75
- Underground Utilities - Damage Prevention Law - RCW 19.122
Federal Rules and Information
- Federal Pipeline Rules and Regulations
- PHMSA - Stakeholder Communications
- PHMSA - Office of Pipeline Safety
- PHMSA - WA Damage Prevention Information
- PHMSA - Pipeline Safety Awareness
- PHMSA - Pipeline News
- NAPSR - National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives
- NARUC - National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
Program Partners
About the Pipeline Safety Program
The commission develops and enforces safety standards for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines around Washington state. The commission also inspects sections of interstate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in our state. Standards and enforcement actions are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Our Mission
The mission of the Pipeline Safety Program is to ensure public health, safety, and environmental quality by striving to:
- Conduct quality inspections of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline companies.
- Improve safety laws and regulations.
- Educate local communities on pipeline safety issues.
- Provide technical assistance to pipeline operators, local governments, and communities.
- Enforce laws and regulations in a fair and equitable manner.
Program History
The pipeline safety program began inspecting natural gas systems operating in the Washington state in 1955. Intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines were added to the commission's authority in 1996.
In 2000, the Legislature approved the Pipeline Safety Act - HB 2420, directing the program to seek federal approval to include inspections for all interstate pipelines. In 2001, the Legislature adopted the Pipeline Safety Funding Bill - SB 5182.
After working closely with PHMSA for two years, the pipeline safety program became the lead inspector for all interstate pipeline inspections and incidents in Washington state in 2003. The program can make recommendations to PHMSA, but does not have enforcement authority over interstate pipelines.
Program Funding
Support for the program comes from federal grants and pipeline fees. Pipeline fees are set every year before Sept. 1.
Per WAC 480-75-240 and WAC 480-93-240, company fees are allotted for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline companies based on the total pipeline miles reported to the commission each year. The remaining program overhead costs are assigned to the company using an effort-based allocation system. The program requires staff to track all hours spent directly with the specific pipeline company and allocates fees based on each company’s percentage of hours worked.
Washington State Pipelines
As of 2024, there are 41 pipeline operators in Washington operating over 47,000 miles of pipelines. 31 of the pipelines carry natural gas, and 10 carry hazardous liquids such as gasoline and jet fuel. There are 12 interstate pipelines in Washington - six carry liquid, and the other six carry natural gas. Interstate lines typically are large-diameter lines operating at very high pressure.
The commission also regulates a liquefied natural gas facility, propane storage sites, and natural gas master meters. Master meters are small natural gas distribution systems operated by schools, hospitals, or residential complexes such as apartment buildings and mobile home parks.
Pipelines are not only for oil or natural gas transportation. Pipelines may also be used to transport other commodities. More recently, there has been an increase in “emerging" pipeline commodities such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen blends, renewable natural gas, ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel. As of 2025, there are two biogas pipeline systems with 1.65 miles of pipelines and three hydrogen systems with 2.96 miles operating in Washington state.
Program Operations
From expert engineers to inspectors with years of experience, the Pipeline Safety Program includes a diverse mix of professionals. All of the program's inspectors are federally certified. They have received all federal and state pipeline safety regulation training, as well as advanced investigator training.
Three key roles manage the program's daily operations to make sure operations run safely:
- Pipeline Safety Director manages the pipeline safety program.
- Chief Pipeline Safety Engineer directs all compliance activities for the program’s eight pipeline inspectors.
- Operations Manager oversees administrative support, budget needs, policy creation and management, and damage prevention efforts.
Main Contacts
Dennis Ritter, Acting Director and Chief Engineer
Email: Dennis.Ritter@utc.wa.gov
Call: 360-402-0066
Marina Rathbun, Operations Manager
Email: Marina.Rathbun@utc.wa.gov
Call: 360-664-1135
Pipeline Safety Program
Call: 360-664-1160
Email: PipelineSafety@utc.wa.gov
Office: 621 Woodland Square Loop, Lacey, Wash
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