Author: PRCI
On June 24 & 25, 2009, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA) sponsored a Joint Government/Industry Research & Development (R&D) Forum in Crystal City, VA. The R&D Forum provided the opportunity for collaboration between PHMSA and the pipeline industry on identifying the key challenges facing the pipeline industry, and establishing meaningful and effective R&D programs to address those challenges. The meeting included a plenary session where various government (PHMSA, MMS, EPA) and industry (INGAA, AGA, API/AOPL) stakeholders, including PRCI member company representatives provided their perspectives on the industry R&D needs. A link to the web site with further details on the forum is provided at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/rd/mtg_062409.htm.
PRCI Chief Operating Officer Eric Thomas was a member of the Steering Committee that was assembled by PHMSA to develop the program for the R&D Forum, and a number of other PRCI staff and member company representatives played an active role in helping organize the meetings and developing the Technical Tracks during the forum. The topics that were addressed in the Technical Track sessions have a direct relationship and relevance to PRCI's research programs, and the R&D gaps identified as an outcome of the forum are consistent with those identified through our programs and Roadmaps.
PHMSA representatives stated at the forum that a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) soliciting research proposals to address the identified gaps is expected to be issued in August or September 2009. PRCI expects to submit several proposals in response to the BAA.