---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1208"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1208"
heading: "Pipeline security and incident recovery plan"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1208"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Surface Transportation Security"
  - "Part D — Hazardous Material and Pipeline Security"
---

# §1208. Pipeline security and incident recovery plan

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of Transportation and the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and in accordance with the Annex to the Memorandum of Understanding executed on August 9, 2006, the National Strategy for Transportation Security, and [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security Presidential Directive–7, shall develop a pipeline security and [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6) recovery protocols plan. The plan shall include—
  - (1) for the Government to provide increased security support to the most critical interstate and intrastate natural gas and hazardous liquid transmission pipeline infrastructure and operations as determined under [section 1207 of this title](/usc/6/1207.md) when—
    - (A) under severe security threat levels of alert; or
    - (B) under specific security threat information relating to such pipeline infrastructure or operations exists; and
  - (2) an [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6) recovery protocol plan, developed in conjunction with interstate and intrastate transmission and distribution pipeline operators and terminals and facilities operators connected to pipelines, to develop protocols to ensure the continued transportation of natural gas and hazardous liquids to essential markets and for essential public health or national defense uses in the event of an [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6) affecting the interstate and intrastate natural gas and hazardous liquid transmission and distribution pipeline system, which shall include protocols for restoring essential services supporting pipelines and granting access to pipeline operators for pipeline infrastructure repair, replacement, or bypass following an [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6).
- (b) **Existing private and public sector efforts—** The plan shall take into account actions taken or planned by both private and public [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2) to address identified pipeline security issues and assess the effective integration of such actions.
- (c) **Consultation—** In developing the plan under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall consult with the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of Transportation, interstate and intrastate transmission and distribution pipeline operators, nonprofit employee organizations representing pipeline employees, [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) responders, offerors, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17) pipeline safety [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1), public safety officials, and other relevant parties.
- (d) **Report—**
  - (1) **Contents—** Not later than 2 years after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall transmit to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/6/101.md?p=2) a report containing the plan required by [subsection (a)](#a), including an estimate of the private and public sector costs to implement any recommendations.
  - (2) **Format—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) may submit the report in both classified and redacted formats if the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines that such action is appropriate or necessary.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XV, § 1558, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 476.)