Fiber Optic Sensing Association Files Leak Detection Comments with the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

PRESS RELEASE
August 16, 2023

Fiber Optic Sensing Association Files Leak Detection Comments with the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

WASHINGTON, DC – August 16, 2023  – The Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA), the nation’s premier trade association dedicated to fiber optic sensing, filed comments with the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on gas pipeline leak detection.

In FOSA’s filing, Executive Director Mark Uncapher wrote: “Advancing the development of effective leak detection systems is critical to improving pipeline safety and preventing methane releases and other hazardous materials releases. Toward this objective, FOSA strongly supports a PHMSA pipeline safety and test facility.”

FOSA first proposed such a facility in 2018 in the association’s report, The Need for a U.S. Pipeline Safety Test Facility. The report stated, “FOSA believes there is a significant need for a pipeline safety test facility in the United States, and that such a facility would provide clear benefits. It would help validate existing safety technologies and accelerate the advancement of new technologies. With better technology, operators would reduce incidents and mitigate costs, fines, and negative public relations.”

FOSA comments available here.

About the FIBER OPTIC SENSING ASSOCIATION (FOSA): FOSA is a non-profit organization created in Washington DC in 2017 with the mission of educating industry, government, and the public on the benefits of fiber optic sensing. Through webinars, videos, white papers, public presentations, and public policy advocacy, the organization provides information on the use of fiber optic sensing to secure critical facilities, enhance public safety and protect the environment.

FOSA Premier Member Companies include AP Sensing, Corning, CRALEY Group, Ditch Witch, Dura-Line, FEBUS Optics, Fibercore Limited, Graz University of Technology, Hifi, Luna, NEC Corporation of America, Network Integrity Systems, OFS, OZ Optics, Prysmian Group, SAMM Teknoloji, Senstar, Smartpipe Technologies, Underline, the University of California – Berkeley, and VIAVI Solutions. For further information, please visit the FOSA website.