FOR THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY (OPS) TO PARTICIPATE IN A JOINT INDUSTRY PROJECT AND STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WILL IDENTIFY AND ASSESS THE TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC AND POLICY ISSUES WHICH DEFINE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH ENERGY PIPELINES OPERATE AND TO ASSESS THE ROLE THAT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PLAY IN ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES. THIS WORK IS SPONSORED BY THE PRCI (PIPELINE RESEARCH COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL) AND IS BEING DIRECTED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE WHERE MR. JEFF WIESE IS REPRESENTING THE OPS. THE STEERING COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FOLLOWING: INDUSTRY THE INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPELINES, AND THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE; GOVERNMENT THE U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY, AND THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION; RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS THE NORTHEAST GAS ASSOCIATION/NYSEARCH, AND PIPELINE RESEARCH COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL.