News Release

Phoenix, Ariz. –  The Arizona Corporation Commission’s Office of Pipeline Safety (AZOPS) receives a perfect score in its latest evaluation conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  The annual audit reviews the AZOPS inspectors and operations.  The perfects scores highlights the work and success of AZOPS in ensuring safe operations of pipeline facilities. The evaluation included a review of annual Progress Report documents and pipeline program procedures and records, as well as observation of on-site pipeline operator inspections by AZOPS staff. This the second year in a row that AZOPS has received all its points on this annual evaluation.

For the Progress Report review for calendar year 2023, the AZOPS Gas Pipeline Safety Program scored 50 out of 50 possible points, and the AZOPS Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Scored 50 out of 50 points as well.

For the Program Evaluation review, AZOPS Gas Pipeline Safety Program scored 100 out of 100 possible points and the Hazardous Liquid Safety Program scored 96 out of 96 possible points.

Last year, AZOPS regulated 19 Intrastate Gas and Hazardous Liquid pipeline operators across the state of Arizona, altogether they have a combined total of 44,556 miles of pipeline and 1,435,866 services.  Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman, Jim O’Connor, commended the Safety Division staff for their continued success in earning perfect evaluation scores, saying “Congratulations and thank you for another year of outstanding service to all Arizonans. Well done!”

In addition to its perfect scores, AZOPS claims another national distinction: the top spot on the American Gas Association’s list of states with the lowest excavation damage rate.  AZOPS’ unique programs and regular enforcement of dig laws have successfully reduced the number of calls for damage of underground natural gas pipelines over the past several years.  Arizona is a proud leader in pipeline safety and damage prevention.