Pipelines

Pipelines transport natural gas, oil, refined petroleum products, and various chemicals throughout the U.S. Both interstate and intrastate pilelines exist in the Commonwealth.

• At the federal level, pipelines are regulated by the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Within Virginia, natural gas and liquid pipeline safety is regulated by the State Corporation Commission, 
• DEQ regulates liquid pipelines as "facilities" under the Facility and Aboveground Storage Tank Regulation 9VAC 25-91-10 et seq.
• All oil pipelines are subject to the Aboveground Storage Tank and Pipline Facility Finanical Responsibility Requirements 9VAC25-640-10 et seq.
• An oil discharge from a pipeline must be reported immediately to the locality, the state, and the appropriate federal authorities. State notifications of oil discharges must be made to the appropriate DEQ Regional Office during the hours of 8:15 am to 5:00 pm. At all other times, notifications must be made to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at (804) 674-2400 or 1-800-468-8892 (24-hour number) See Reporting a Release for additional information.
• If you have any questions concerning the requirements described on this page, please contact Shawn Weimer by telephone at (804)698-4307 or by email at Shawn.Weimer@deq.virginia.gov.