Act 127 (Pipeline Act)

The Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act (also known as “the Pipeline Act” or Act 127 of 2011) was signed by Governor Corbett on Dec. 22, 2011 and goes into effect on Feb. 20, 2012. This law expands the Commission’s authority to enforce federal pipeline safety laws as they relate to gas and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pipeline Act requires the Commission to develop and maintain a registry of pipeline operators within Pennsylvania. The Commission will recover the costs of this program by assessments on pipeline operators based on the total intrastate regulated transmission, regulated distribution and regulated onshore gathering pipeline miles in operation for the transportation of gas and hazardous liquids in Pennsylvania during the prior calendar year.

For questions about the PUC’s implementation efforts or to be placed on a distribution list regarding these efforts, please send an email to ra-Act127@pa.gov.

Final Order– On June 7, 2012, the Commission adopted the Final Order that clarifies that transmission pipelines and pipeline facilities in Class 1 locations are subject to federal pipeline safety laws and therefore are within the jurisdiction of the Commission under Act 127. Docket No. M-2012-2282031.

Implementation Order– On Feb. 16, 2012, the PUC adopted an Implementation Order at Docket M-2012-2282031. It establishes the Act 127 initiatives of creating a statewide registry for non-public utility gas and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities within the Commonwealth; conducting safety inspections to enforce Federal pipeline safety laws on certain classifications of pipeline; and assessing entities for the costs. Below are links to the forms from the Implementation Order and instructions on how to file the forms:

Act 127 Registration Form

Pennsylvania Pipeline Operator Annual Registration Form

Filing of paper documents should follow the Commission's formal rules at 52 Pa. Code Section 1.1 et seq. When filing documents the docket number must be listed. Documents sent to ra-act127@pa.gov may not be considered by the Commission as part of the proceedings.

eFiling Tutorial- The PUC has prepared an eFiling PowerPoint presentation for stakeholders to explain how to eFile documents with the Commission.

Pipeline Operators Registry

Questions & Answers from the Act 127 Teleconference

Questions & Answers Sheet - A list of the questions and answers regarding Act 127 Teleconference that took place on January 12, 2012.