August 24, 2000

The Honorable David M. Walker
Comptroller General
U.S. General Accounting Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548

Dear Mr. Walker:

I appreciate the work that your agency has been doing to highlight weaknesses in the regulation of pipeline safety including your recent report to me Pipeline Safety: The Office of Pipeline Safety Is Changing How It Oversees the Pipeline Industry (Letter Report, 05/15/2000, GAO/RCED-00-128).

With the recent tragic explosion in New Mexico, I would appreciate your agency’s assistance in reviewing the causes of the explosion as the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation unfolds, and the implications they would have upon your previous report’s recommendations.

In the coming days, please contact Rick Kessler of the Committee’s minority staff at (202) 226-3400 to discuss this request and to further define its scope.

Thank you again for your professional work in this field.

Sincerely,

JOHN D. DINGELL
RANKING MEMBER

cc: The Honorable Tom Bliley, Chairman
Committee on Commerce

The Honorable Joe Barton, Chairman
Subcommittee on Energy and Power

The Honorable Rick Boucher, Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Energy and Power