Jeff Elkins The Oklahoman
March 24, 2026, 5:05 a.m. CT
Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Kim David has been appointed to serve on two influential federal advisory committees that shape the nation’s pipeline safety regulation.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy has tapped David to represent state government interests on both the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) and the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC, technical committees that provide critical guidance to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Her three-year appointments underscore Oklahoma’s prominence in the nation’s energy infrastructure landscape and the OCC’s recognized expertise in pipeline regulation.
The two committees serve as the primary technical review bodies for proposed federal pipeline safety regulations, evaluating their feasibility, cost effectiveness and practical application before they become national policy.
The role places Kim at the center of national policy discussions on infrastructure oversight in a position that influences how the federal government approaches pipeline safety standards.
“Oklahoma is home to one of the largest and most complex pipeline networks in the country,” David said in a statement. “It’s an honor to represent our state and bring Oklahoma’s regulatory experience to the national level.”
Oklahoma’s extensive pipeline system plays a critical role in the nation’s energy infrastructure, transporting oil, natural gas, and refined products across the state and throughout the country. The OCC regulates thousands of miles of intrastate pipeline and has long been recognized for its expertise in pipeline safety oversight, according to a Monday release.
David said state regulators are on the front lines of pipeline safety, and greater federal-state collaboration ensures that policies are “informed by real-world operational experience.”
“I look forward to strengthening that partnership while helping PHMSA develop effective, common-sense regulations,” David said.
In addition to her role as chair of the OCC, David also serves as Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety, where she works with state regulators across the country to advance best practices in pipeline oversight.
David said she hopes her service on LPAC and GPAC will help ensure federal policy reflects the practical realities faced by states like Oklahoma with significant energy infrastructure.
“Oklahoma has a long history of responsible energy development and regulatory leadership,” David said. “I am proud to bring that perspective to these important advisory committees.”