State Program Websites Transparency Ranking
Note: We review each program that has a certification from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) or an interstate agency agreement. Both California and Arkansas have two separate agencies, and Alaska and Hawai’i have no PHMSA-certified programs.
Each year, PST conducts a review of each state’s pipeline safety website, as well as the District of Columbia’s, to determine the amount of publicly available information and how accessible it is to members of the public.
This annual transparency review considers several factors including:
- Ease of finding the state agency’s website and contact information for agency staff;
- Accessibility of state and federal statutes and rules;
- The description of what the state agency regulates and does not regulate;
- Presence of transmission pipeline maps and operator contact information;
- Availability of inspection records, and incident, enforcement and excavation damage data; and
- Information about siting and routing of new pipelines.
When the public is wondering about pipelines near their homes, they will often reach out to their state first to see how pipelines are regulated and to learn about the risks they pose. For this reason, we believe it is vital that state pipeline safety websites provide clear information to the public on critical topics. Our annual transparency review shows which states are sharing this information with the public and which are not.
In the summer of 2025, 54 state pipeline safety program websites were reviewed and scored based on 11 metrics encompassing aspects of pipeline safety and regulation that are important for the public, including access to contact information, clear descriptions of agency authority, as well as providing data and maps. PST also consulted with state programs and members of the public in developing five additional criteria that will be scored in future reviews and revising some components that apply across existing criteria. While the updated criteria are not counted in this year’s scores, information about the criteria has been provided to states as advisory information to help agencies prepare for the new expectations in future reviews.
In the 2025 review, there were 33 points possible on a total of 11 different criteria. We consider below 17 points to be failing, 17-24 points to be passing, 25-32 points to be good, and a perfect score of 33 points is excellent.
Pipeline Safety Trust encourages states to continue strengthening their pipeline safety program’s transparency. In conducting the reviews, PST has found that states who make it a priority to address transparency are able to increase their scores and the benefit they provide to the public. One example of this effort is through PST’s individualized audit program, which states are strongly encouraged to participate in.
Additionally, state programs can do more to keep pace with changing needs and expectations of the public. As stated, PST has updated its criteria by developing new criteria that will be included in future reviews and revising components that apply to some existing criteria to address these areas. The updates include clearer link labeling for better navigation as well as five new criteria on topics of particular interest to the public—from emergency response information to information about emerging commodities.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our auditing or transparency review program, please contact Virginia Wiltshire-Gordon at .
2025 Website Review Results and Criteria
Previous Website Review Results and Criteria
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies – 2023 Report
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies – 2022 Report
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies – 2020 – sorted alphabetically
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies – 2020 – sorted by score
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies – 2018
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies and Puerto Rico – 2017
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies, PHMSA, and Puerto Rico – 2016
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA – 2015
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA – 2014
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA – 2013
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA – 2012
- Public Transparency by State Pipeline Safety Agencies & PHMSA – 2011 (website review updated 2/1/12)