RCP is pleased to welcome John Gale as an Executive Consultant. John joins RCP after a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, where he spent over 40 years, including 18 years with the Office of Pipeline Safety.

During his time at PHMSA, John served as Director of Standards, leading the planning, development, and management of pipeline safety regulations. His office also supported the regulatory agenda, oversaw the Pipeline Advisory Committees, and managed advisory bulletins and regulatory interpretations. He held this role since June 2008.

John now begins his next chapter supporting the industry and helping operators maintain safe, compliant pipeline systems.

A lifelong Washington, D.C. native, John now resides in Stafford, Virginia with his wife. He is the father of five sons and grandfather to seven. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, history, and following his favorite local sports teams.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. John Gale.

A new safety alert highlights recurring issues observed during pipeline construction, inspections, and failure investigations across Virginia.

The focus is on pipeline joining and welding practices, where improper execution can create long-term integrity risks. Common issues include mitered plastic joints, inadequate ditch space for proper joining, and improper root bead welding practices such as “hinging” pipe, which is prohibited.

Additional concerns include incomplete scribing and scraping for electrofusion, poorly cut pipe ends, and incorrectly assembled mechanical joints using the wrong tools, parts, or torque specifications. These issues have been observed in multiple field settings, including tie-ins and transitions.

The alert emphasizes that even small mistakes during construction can lead to leaks years later. Following qualified joining and welding procedures is critical to ensuring long-term pipeline safety and compliance.

For a copy of the URS Safety Alert, please message Jessica Foley.

A new safety alert from the Virginia State Corporation Commission highlights growing risks tied to expanding electrical infrastructure.

As electrical demand increases, utilities are adding new transmission lines, upgrading existing lines, and reconductoring systems to boost capacity. These changes can create AC interference when lines are near underground metallic pipelines, which can disrupt cathodic protection and accelerate corrosion.

The alert also notes that existing mitigation systems may not be designed for these upgraded conditions, increasing the risk of rapid pipeline degradation.

Operators are encouraged to take proactive steps, including:

• Coordinating with electric transmission operators early
• Monitoring VA811 excavation notices for nearby electrical work
• Increasing cathodic protection monitoring and interference testing
• Using routine patrols to identify changes in nearby electrical infrastructure

With large-scale electrical buildout underway, operators should stay engaged and monitor closely to prevent corrosion before it starts.

For a copy of the URS Safety Alert, please message Jessica Foley.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is opening the door for industry feedback on its enforcement process.

PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety maintains a public document outlining its Section 4 Administrative Enforcement Processes. This resource walks through each step of an enforcement case, from initial action through final resolution.

For the first time, PHMSA is inviting stakeholders to formally review and comment on this process. The agency will accept feedback for 30 days at phmsaenforcement@dot.gov.

After the comment period, PHMSA plans to publish a redline version showing any updates. Comments that help support changes may also be made public.

This is a good opportunity for operators and industry professionals to help shape how enforcement is carried out moving forward.

The U.S. Interior Department plans to merge two offshore drilling regulators, a shift from reforms made after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Officials say the move will streamline permitting and improve coordination. Critics argue it could weaken independent safety oversight and reintroduce risks that led to the 2010 disaster.

The decision reflects the ongoing balance between expanding energy development and maintaining strong environmental and safety protections. (Source: AP News)