OPS Has Completed Some Statutory Requirements, but Other Important Requirements Remain Uncompleted

OPS has made progress in implementing some of the 22 statutory requirements that it reported as open in our May 2000 report but has not fully implemented some significant, long-standing requirements. OPS does not plan to take action on the remaining open requirement to submit a report on underwater abandoned pipeline facilities, including a survey of where such facilities are located and an analysis of any safety hazards associated with them. The Safety Board Is Encouraged by OPS’ Efforts to Implement Recommendations, but Concerns Remain

The Safety Board is encouraged by OPS’ recent efforts to improve its responsiveness, but it remains concerned about the amount of time OPS has been taking to implement recommendations. OPS continues to have the lowest rate of any transportation agency for implementing recommendations from the Safety Board; and, in May 2000 we reported that the Safety Board was concerned that OPS had not followed through on promises to implement recommendations. However, OPS officials believe that the agency’s progress is much greater than the Safety Board’s records indicate.
What GAO Found

In a May 2000 report on the performance of the Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), GAO found that the number of pipeline accidents rose four percent annually from 1989 to 1998--from 190 in 1989 to 280 in 1998. GAO also found that OPS did not implement 22 statutory requirements and 39 recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board. Since GAO's May report, OPS has fully implemented six of the 22 statutory requirements. However, 11 other requirements--including some that are significant and long-standing--have not been fully implemented. The agency does not plan to report on abandoned underwater pipeline facilities--a remaining open requirement--because it believes that insufficient data exists to conduct the study. The Safety Board is encouraged by OPS' recent efforts to improve its responsiveness, but the Board remains concerned about the amount of time OPS has taken to implement recommendations. OPS has the lowest rate of any transportation agency in implementing the Board's recommendations.