The Commission regulates natural gas service reliability and ensures compliance with safety standards for 1,382 miles of natural gas distribution mains, 84 miles of intra-state transmission pipelines (including the five-mile private pipeline operated by Woodland Pulp, LLC), and 39,485 services. These facilities were in service throughout Maine as of December 31, 2020, as noted in the operators’ annual reports to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) filed March 15, 2021. In addition, the Commission enforces safety standards for approximately 590 Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) distribution facilities that provide LPG service to multi-unit housing complexes, commercial buildings, and other facilities where LPG system failures would likely impact large numbers of people. (PHMSA).
The Commission derives its authority for safety oversight from both state and federal laws. Chapters 420 and 421 of the Commission’s rules adopt federal safety regulations for pipelines that transport hazardous gases to protect the public and govern the safe operation of distribution and intrastate transmission facilities within the State. The Commission is also a certified agent for PHMSA. In this role, the Commission ensures that intrastate natural gas transmission and distribution systems comply with federal pipeline safety standards and corresponding state regulations through operator inspections. Link to PHMSA's Inspection Page Additionally, the Commission investigates natural gas safety incidents and pursues enforcement actions for violations of the federal or state safety regulations.
PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety Stakeholder Communications – Maine Enforcement Program
PHMSA’s Pipeline Incident 20 Year Trends, where incident data for Maine and other states may be found.
2021 NEPSR PIPELINE SAFETY SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS
Day 1 Presentations
- CT NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
- Major Changes Coming to OQ - April 27 2021 (PDF)
- ME NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
- NH NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
- RI NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
- VT NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
Day 2 Presentations
- A Review of Recent Significant Incidents NTSB SLyons (PDF)
- Federal Regulation Update (PDF)
- MA NEPSR Presentation 2021 (PDF)
- QA QC and PSMS (PDF)
Day 3 Presentations
- Facility Inspection Findings (PDF)
- Gas Regulators - OPP - MAOP (PDF)
- Regulations & Record Keeping (PDF)
2021 MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION JURISDICTIONAL LP SEMINAR
- DAY 1 - INTRODUCTION (PDF)
- DAY 1 - OME REVISION (PDF)
- DAY 2 - DAMAGE PREVENTION INTRODUCTION (PDF)
- DAY 2 - DIMP (PDF)
- DAY 2 - MAOP (PDF)
- DAY 2 - ODORANT LEVEL CHECKS (PDF)
- DAY 2 - OQ REQUIREMENTS (PDF)
- DAY 2 - QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM (PDF)
- FINAL AGENDA - 2021 MPUC JURISDICTIONAL LP SEMINAR (PDF)
- MPUC JURISDICTIONAL LP SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 PRESENTATION (Vimeo)
- MPUC JURISDICTIONAL LP SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 PRESENTATION (Vimeo)
- MPUC EXAMPLE JURISDITIONAL LPG OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PLAN (PDF)
JURISDICTIONAL LP REFERENCE INFORMATION
- Model Propane Operation, Maintenance and Emergency Plan
- Comprehensive Inspection Form (OM&E, DIMP, and OQ)
- Facility Inspection Form-Above Ground Tank (s)
- Facility Inspection Form-Below Ground Tank (s)
9.1.16 LPG OPERATORS MEETING - PRESENTATION (PDF)
The following facilities fall under the MPUC's safety jurisdiction:
- Intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines;
- Natural gas distribution systems;
- Utility operated liquefied natural gas facilities; and
- Propane distribution facilities falling under the jurisdiction of 49 CFR 192.1.
TRANSMISSION PIPELINE MAPS
Maps of the intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines under the safety jurisdiction of the MPUC may be found at National Pipeline Mapping System.
INSPECTIONS, STATISTICS AND DATA
- 2020 Maine Inspection Report (PDF)
- 2019 Maine Inspection Report (PDF)
- 2018 Maine Inspection Report (PDF)
- 2017 Maine Inspection Report (PDF)
- Maine Excavation Damage Data
- Maine Incident Data - no incidents to date
Natural gas utilities must receive the MPUC's authorization to construct and operate intrastate pipelines. The MPUC's review of these projects primarily involves an engineering review of the utility's construction plans to ensure that the pipeline will conform to all American Standard Code of Pressure and Piping standards to ensure that pipeline is constructed and operated safely. The MPUC does not review and approve siting and routing plans from an environmental standpoint, this review is conducted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection http://www.maine.gov/dep or the Maine Land Use Planning Commission http://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/index.shtml, and local municipal government.
Four natural gas utilities currently operate in Maine: Unitil, d//b/a Northern Utilities; Maine Natural Gas; Bangor Gas, and Summit Natural Gas. Information for these utilities can be found at here.
The MPUC does not enforce safety regulations for interstate natural gas pipelines or hazardous liquid pipelines, those facilities are directly under the safety jurisdiction of PHMSA.
The MPUC's Gas Safety Program staff are:
Nathan Dore, Gas Safety Program Manager
nathan.dore@maine.gov
207-287-1375
Sean Watson, Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector
sean.watson@maine.gov
207-287-1082
Brandon Plourde, Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector
Brandon.plourde@maine.gov
(207)287-1364
Hattie Trask, Safety Programs Coordinator
hattie.trask@maine.gov
207-287-6075
If you need assistance or an alternate format, please contact the Public Information Coordinator at maine.puc@maine.gov or (207) 287-6141.
Propane Resources
- PHMSA Small LP Gas Operator Guide
- Jurisdictional Facility Reporting Form
- Chapter 421 – Safety and Operation Standards for Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Distribution Systems
Natural Gas
General Resources
- Chapter 130 – Safety and Accident Reporting Requirements
- Chapter 895 – Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements
Federal Regulations
- 49 C.F.R. Part 190 – Pipeline Safety Enforcement and Regulatory Procedures
- 49 C.F.R. Part 191 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline; Annual Reports, Incident
- Reports, and Safety-Related Condition Reports
- 49 C.F.R. Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety
- Standards
- 49 C.F.R. Part 193 – Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards
- 49 C.F.R. Part 199 – Drug and Alcohol Testing
- PHMSA Small LP Gas Operator Guide
- Jurisdictional Facility Reporting Form
- Chapter 421 – Safety and Operation Standards for Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Distribution
- Systems
Natural Gas
General Resources
- Chapter 130 – Safety and Accident Reporting Requirements
- Chapter 895 – Underground Facility Damage Prevention Requirements
Federal Regulations
- 49 C.F.R. Part 190 – Pipeline Safety Enforcement and Regulatory Procedures
- 49 C.F.R. Part 191 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline; Annual Reports, Incident
- 49 C.F.R. Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety
Standards - 49 C.F.R. Part 193 – Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards
- 49 C.F.R. Part 199 – Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Reports, and Safety-Related Condition Reports