Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General’s announcement that it is moving forward with an audit of PHMSA’s pipeline and hazardous materials safety program:

“I’m pleased that the IG is moving forward on my request for an audit of PHMSA’s pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs. As I wrote in my letter, PHMSA has continually failed to address longstanding pipeline and hazardous materials safety issues. I hope this report will shed needed light on this opaque agency and force it to address serious safety concerns and protect the health and safety of our communities and the American public.”