January/February 2020

PE Report
Federal Safety Agency Challenges License Exemptions

 State that DOES NOT require a PE on natural gas pipeline projects
 State that does require a PE on natural gas pipeline projects

The National Transportation Safety Board has identified 31 states that do not require a licensed professional engineer on natural gas pipeline projects. In the fall, the governor of each of the states received a letter from the NTSB, urging them to end these exemptions for gas pipeline operators and asking for an update within 90 days.

License exemptions began getting more attention after the NTSB issued an investigation report on the September 2018 gas pipeline explosions in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley. The agency made two critical recommendations: first, that all the states with license exemptions for public utilities eliminate the exemption, and second, that a professional engineer be required to review and approve gas pipeline construction and maintenance documents.

When the NTSB began its investigation, the agency’s staff contacted NSPE for information about licensing exemptions. Through a series of conversations and emails, NSPE shared report data, information on the licensing process and requirements, and the Society’s position statement on licensing exemptions. Consequently, NTSB adopted a policy of addressing and eliminating engineering license exemptions within the gas pipeline industry.

NSPE staff is continuing the dialog with the National Transportation Safety Board and is working to secure a PE role in federal legislation on pipeline safety. NSPE is also assisting state societies on this issue.

State Actions

The Virginia Society of Professional Engineers has offered to assist the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety in developing legislation to eliminate the current exemption for licensed engineers to prepare gas pipeline design and construction plan drawings. The Virginia PE board has drafted language to address this exemption in the state PE statute.

Other states have also started to act. In Illinois, ISPE is working with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to understand how the state will respond to the NTSB letter and recommendations. In Maine, a three-person subcommittee was formed to review the issue and draft a response for the governor’s office.

Learn more and find out how you can make your voice heard.