This episode of the Pipeliners Podcast features a conversation with Paul Roberti, Administrator of PHMSA, about the agency’s role in pipeline safety and his broader regulatory philosophy. The discussion covers enforcement priorities, modernization efforts, and how PHMSA is working to balance safety, efficiency, and industry collaboration. Listeners will gain insight into how regulatory frameworks, infrastructure investment, and operational accountability intersect across the pipeline industry.

PHMSA’s Vision and Priorities Show Notes, Links, and Insider Terms

• Paul Roberti serves as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, bringing decades of experience in regulatory affairs, legal oversight, and risk consulting within the energy and utilities sectors. Prior to his appointment, he held leadership roles at Ernst & Young and within Rhode Island’s public utility and regulatory organizations, as well as serving as PHMSA’s Chief Counsel.
• PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) the U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for advancing the safe transportation of energy products and hazardous materials. PHMSA establishes and enforces federal safety regulations for pipelines and the transportation of hazardous materials. In practice, PHMSA conducts inspections, investigates incidents and accidents, issues enforcement actions and advisory bulletins, develops rulemakings, and partners with state regulators to oversee pipeline infrastructure across the United States, all with the goal of reducing risk and protecting people, property, and the environment
• FERC Order 636 is a landmark rule issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 1992 that fundamentally restructured the U.S. natural gas industry by requiring interstate pipelines to unbundle their sales and transportation services. This shift enabled open-access transportation, increased competition among gas suppliers, and laid the foundation for today’s market-based natural gas system, where pipelines operate primarily as transporters rather than merchants.
• NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners) organization representing state public utility regulators across the United States
• High Consequence Areas (HCA) locations where pipeline incidents could have significant impacts on people or the environment
• Integrity Management Programs risk-based programs required for pipeline operators to assess and mitigate threats to pipeline systems
• 811 “Call Before You Dig” national program aimed at preventing third-party damage to underground utilities
• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) natural gas cooled to a liquid state for storage and transportation, requiring specialized infrastructure and safety regulations
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) formal step in the federal rulemaking process where agencies propose regulatory updates and solicit public input
• Advisory Bulletins communications issued by PHMSA to highlight emerging risks, safety concerns, or recommended actions
• Type A Sleeves a pipeline repair method used for corrosion, with known limitations related to sealing and long-term integrity
• LNG Center of Excellence established by law to further the expertise of the Federal government in the operations, management, and regulatory practices of LNG facilities and facilitate collaboration among LNG stakeholders.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for physical and cyber security across multiple modes of transportation, including pipelines. In the pipeline sector, TSA leads cybersecurity oversight through security directives and guidance that require operators to assess cyber risks, implement protective measures, report incidents, and strengthen resilience of critical infrastructure, particularly focusing on threats to operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems.
• Operational Technology (OT) systems used to monitor and control industrial operations, including pipeline control systems
• Information Technology (IT) digital systems supporting data, communications, and enterprise operations within organizations
• Control Room Management PHMSA’s control room management framework for gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, centered on 49 CFR § 192.631 for gas pipelines and 49 CFR § 195.446 for hazardous liquid pipelines. In this episode, it refers to the requirements governing controller roles and responsibilities, adequate information, fatigue mitigation, alarm management, change management, operating experience reviews, and controller training.

PHMSA’s Vision and Priorities Full Episode Transcript

Russel Treat:
Welcome to the Pipeliners Podcast, Episode 434, sponsored by EnerSys Corporation, providers of POEMS, the Pipeline Operations Excellence Management System, operations and compliance software for the pipeline operator to address safety, program management, control room management, and field operations. Find out more about POEMS at enersyscorp.com.

The Pipeliners Podcast, where professionals, bubba geeks, and industry insiders share their knowledge and experience about technology, projects, and pipeline operations.

And now your host, Russel Treat.

Thanks for listening to the Pipeliners Podcast. I appreciate you taking the time. And to show that appreciation, we give away a customized YETI tumbler to one listener every episode.

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This week, we have the distinct pleasure to speak with Paul Roberti, Administrator of PHMSA. Paul, welcome to the Pipeliners Podcast. I’m so very glad to have you join us.

Paul Roberti:
Great to be here. Thanks for having me.

Russel Treat:
If you would, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background and how you found yourself as the Administrator of PHMSA?

Paul Roberti:
It’s been a long journey. I grew up in Rhode Island, went to college in Massachusetts, then law school. I started in private practice and then joined the Attorney General’s office. I wanted to litigate and be a prosecutor, but I was assigned to the public utilities unit.

At the time, no one wanted to be there. There was a backlog of cases. I committed to clearing that backlog and getting things organized. My work involved rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

This was during a time of major industry change. Deregulation was reshaping natural gas, telecommunications, and electricity. I stayed in that role for 17 years under four different attorneys general.

Eventually, I was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission and served for seven years. During that time, I became heavily involved with NARUC and pipeline safety efforts, especially following major incidents like San Bruno, Marshall, Michigan, and others.

There was a national call to action to address aging infrastructure, particularly cast iron and bare steel pipelines. I led efforts to encourage regulators and utilities to accelerate replacement programs and improve safety.

After that, I moved to the private sector with Ernst and Young, working on energy market restructuring, including time spent in Mexico. Later, I was asked to serve as Chief Counsel at PHMSA during the first Trump administration.

After returning briefly to the private sector, I received a call asking if I would consider serving as Administrator. That led me back to Washington.

Russel Treat:
That’s a fascinating career path for someone who started out wanting to be a prosecutor.

Paul Roberti:
It is. What I learned is that while industries like water, telecom, electricity, and natural gas are different, they share common themes in how infrastructure is managed and regulated.

Russel Treat:
From your perspective, what does it take to create effective government systems that are reliable and efficient?

Paul Roberti:
That’s really my mantra. Everything we do comes back to good government.

We have a stable regulatory framework in the U.S. that allows private capital to invest in infrastructure. The government’s role is not to provide the services, but to regulate appropriately and ensure safety and reliability.

We also need restraint. Regulation should exist where it is necessary for safety, but not beyond that.

Russel Treat:
PHMSA has to balance multiple stakeholders. Operators, regulators, and the public. That’s not an easy job.

Paul Roberti:
It’s complex, but everything we do should be understandable to the public. Regulations, enforcement, budgeting, all of it should be transparent and efficient.

Russel Treat:
Let’s talk about enforcement. What is PHMSA’s approach?

Paul Roberti:
I break it into compliance, enforcement, and accountability.

We are not focused on the number of enforcement actions. We focus on areas that improve safety. That includes incidents, leak detection, damage prevention, and high consequence areas.

Operators have flexibility under a performance-based regulatory system, but that comes with responsibility. They must actively manage risk.

Russel Treat:
There’s also public perception around how quickly operators should respond to incidents.

Paul Roberti:
That’s right. Perception becomes reality. Even though pipelines are the safest mode of transporting energy, we must maintain trust and confidence.

Russel Treat:
How does PHMSA support broader energy goals like infrastructure expansion?

Paul Roberti:
We don’t permit pipelines. Our role is to ensure that if pipelines are built, they are designed, constructed, and operated safely.

We support investment by providing regulatory certainty and not creating unnecessary delays.

Russel Treat:
So efficiency matters as well.

Paul Roberti:
Absolutely. Good government means not standing in the way. If inspections are needed, we deploy quickly and complete our work without unnecessary delays.

Russel Treat:
Let’s talk about LNG. What is PHMSA doing in that space?

Paul Roberti:
LNG has evolved significantly. We’ve moved from small, stationary facilities to large-scale export terminals.

Our regulations haven’t kept pace. We are updating them through a new rulemaking process to reflect modern technology and scale.

We’re also launching an LNG Center of Excellence in partnership with McNeese State University to support best practices.

Russel Treat:
That kind of collaboration is critical for the industry.

Paul Roberti:
It is. It’s something government can uniquely support.

Russel Treat:
What about internal improvements at PHMSA?

Paul Roberti:
We’re focused on rulemaking, enforcement efficiency, and organizational improvements.

We want inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions to move efficiently to conclusion. Delays reduce regulatory certainty and can impact safety.

We’re also issuing advisory bulletins when needed to alert industry to emerging risks.

Russel Treat:
Publishing findings quickly also helps operators improve.

Paul Roberti:
Exactly. Sharing information helps the entire industry.

Russel Treat:
In my experience, inspectors also spend time educating operators.

Paul Roberti:
That’s an important part of the process. We all share the same goal, which is safe operation.

Russel Treat:
Any final thoughts for listeners?

Paul Roberti:
Safety is a shared responsibility. Operators are in the best position to understand their systems and manage risk.

We encourage a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance. The goal is zero incidents.

We also need to be mindful of cybersecurity risks. Protecting IT and OT systems is critical.

Russel Treat:
That’s a great point. Cybersecurity is ultimately about people and awareness.

Paul, thank you for your time. This has been a great conversation.

Paul Roberti:
Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.

Russel Treat:
I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of the Pipeliners Podcast, our conversation with Paul Roberti.

Just a reminder, you can register to win a customized Pipeliners Podcast YETI tumbler by visiting Pipeline Podcast Network.

If you have ideas, questions, or would like to be a guest, reach out via the contact page or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening. I’ll talk to you next time.