State Safety Programs
States have a key role to play in achieving pipeline safety. The federal government's Office of Pipeline Safety has overall responsibility for safety regulations, in much the same way as the FAA regulates airline safety. However, state and local governments have other very significant powers and responsibilities that are not available to the federal government, and these powers can contribute in significant ways to improving pipeline safety.
State oversight activities are regulated by the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives.
One Call
811, the national "Call Before You Dig" number was launched in 2007. The Federal Communications Commission-designated national number was created to eliminate confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers across the country. This quick and efficient service connects callers with local One Call Centers who notify the appropriate local utilities, who then send crews to the requested site to mark the approximate location of underground lines for free. 
State law governs One Call centers, the purpose of which is to prevent oil spill accidents caused by people digging around pipelines. The One Call centers work by alerting underground facility operators of proposed excavation, who then inform excavators of the precise location of underground facilities such as oil pipelines.
Land Use
States have broad control over land use policy and can provide local governments with model zoning and land use planning guidance to provide appropriate separation between populated areas and pipelines, including standards for set back distances.
Environmental Permits
Environmental permitting and local routing decisions for new pipelines fall under the control of state pipeline safety and state environmental agencies. The environmental review process generally includes local governments through public hearing and comment periods.
Emergency Response
States provide leadership in emergency response planning, training and exercises in coordination with pipeline companies, federal regulators, and local and regional emergency response teams.
States require reporting of oil spills, and states oversee environmental cleanup and remediation following spills.
Intrastate Pipeline Inspection
States may join the Federal/State Partnership program for intrastate pipeline inspection and regulation. The following states have done so: Alabama, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
State partners regularly participate in joint committees for discussing and making recommendations about risk management, compliance, damage prevention and other issues.
In addition, proposed changes in federal pipeline safety regulations are subject to public review. States are encouraged to participate in the hearing and comment process and can also petition for rule changes.
