PHMSA Administrator to Step Down Oct. 3
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration chief Cynthia Quarterman will step down Oct. 3, a spokeswoman for the agency told reporters.
Since 2009, Quarterman has led the Department of Transportation’s pipeline and hazardous material regulatory division. She recently led PHMSA’s efforts to improve the safety of crude oil distribution.
PHMSA has been under fire about its oversight of Bakken crude oil shipments after a series of train incidents the past year in which rail tank cars have derailed and exploded.
This year, the agency and the Federal Railroad Administration proposed a series of rules for oil trains to improve braking and upgrade tank cars.
Prior to PHMSA, Quarterman was a member of the Obama Administration transition team at the Department of Energy.
She will join the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank this fall as a distinguished senior fellow.
