Hill Democrats are expressing concern that political considerations may be hampering the federal government’s pipeline safety regulator.
A House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing Tuesday on reauthorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration saw Democrats bring forward two trends at the federal regulator since President Donald Trump came into office: a lack of enforcement actions and a growing number of ousted staff.
PHMSA has initiated fewer enforcement actions in the first six months of 2025 (46 cases) than any other year in the agency’s 20-year history, according to an analysis of PHMSA data by POLITICO’s E&E News.
Five top leaders, including the head of the Office of Pipeline Safety, have departed in recent months, and PHMSA’s lead public engagement office has lost 10 of its 13 members.
