Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In response to public input received as part of the rulemaking process, PHMSA is proposing to revise the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to amend the requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a change in class location. Under the existing regulations, pipeline segments located in areas where the population density has significantly increased must perform one of the following actions: Reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment, pressure test the pipeline segment to higher standards, or replace the pipeline segment. This proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators could use, based on implementing integrity management principles and pipe eligibility criteria, to manage certain pipeline segments where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class 3 location. Through required periodic assessments, repair criteria, and other extra preventive and mitigative measures, PHMSA expects this alternative approach would provide long-term safety benefits consistent with the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing cost savings for pipeline operators.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (CGT). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to alert owners and operators of natural gas distribution pipelines to the consequences of failures of inside meters and regulators. PHMSA is also reminding operators of existing Federal regulations covering the installation and maintenance of inside meter and regulators, including the integrity management regulations for distribution systems to reduce the risks associated with failures of inside meter and regulator installations.

This notice announces a virtual public meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), to discuss the Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company (GLGT). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1- Motor vehicle, 2-Rail freight, 3-Cargo vessel, 4-Cargo aircraft only, 5-Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number pertaining to hazardous materials transportation. This notice follows the publication of a PHMSA final rule titled ``Hazardous Materials: Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail'' [HM-264, 85 FR 44994] authorizing the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail. PHMSA intends to request a renewal with change of currently approved OMB control number 2137-0612, ``Hazardous Materials Security Plans.''

PHMSA, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to allow for the bulk transport of ``Methane, refrigerated liquid,'' commonly known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), in rail tank cars. This rulemaking authorizes the transportation of LNG by rail in DOT-113C120W specification rail tank cars with enhanced outer tank requirements, subject to all applicable requirements and certain additional operational controls. The enhancements to the outer tank are indicated by the new specification suffix ``9'' (DOT-113C120W9).

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 12, 2020, amending PHMSA's regulations establishing minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities. That document inadvertently removed certain reporting requirements for natural gas pipeline operators. This document corrects the final regulations.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

This document responds to a joint Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) that was submitted on October 31, 2019, by the American Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Public Gas Association, and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (the Associations). In the Petition, the Associations requested that PHMSA amend the final rule titled ``Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments'' (Gas Transmission Final Rule) published in the Federal Register on October 1, 2019. In response to the Petition, PHMSA is amending the Gas Transmission Final Rule to address the requirements for recordkeeping and the applicability of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) reconfirmation. The amendments are intended to clarify the regulatory requirements identified in the Petition without adversely affecting safety.

This notice announces public teleconference meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC), to discuss the Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

PHMSA is developing a national policy regarding safety devices (UN0503 and UN3268). PHMSA has continued to see advancements in technologies for articles containing hazardous materials that have been submitted to PHMSA requesting an approval or special permit to transport as safety devices (UN0503 and UN3268). PHMSA is requesting information or data from stakeholders regarding the classification, testing, and conditions for transportation of these devices requesting an approval to be classified as safety devices.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (GSPC). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from Texas Eastern Transmission, L.P. (TETLP). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

On July 6, 2017, PHMSA published in the Federal Register an administrative determination that Federal hazardous material transportation law preempts, in part, FDNY's permit, inspection, and fee requirements. FDNY has petitioned for reconsideration of that determination. FDNY's petition for reconsideration is granted in part, and denied in part, as follows: 1. Permit and Inspection RequirementPHMSA affirms its determination that the HMTA preempts FDNY's permit and inspection requirements, FC 2707.4 and 105.6, with respect to vehicles based outside the inspecting jurisdiction, and its determination that the HMTA does not preempt these requirements with respect to vehicles that are based within the inspecting jurisdiction. PHMSA's determination is based on its conclusion that FDNY's permit and inspection requirements create an obstacle to accomplishing and carrying out the HMR's prohibition against unnecessary delays in the transportation of hazardous material on vehicles based outside the inspecting jurisdiction. 2. Permit FeeBased on new information supplied by FDNY, PHMSA reverses its determination that FDNY is not using the revenue it collects from its permit fee for authorized purposes. However, PHMSA affirms its determination that the permit fee is not ``fair,'' as required by 49 U.S.C. 5125(f)(1), and therefore affirms its determination that the permit fee is preempted.

PHMSA is issuing this final rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. These revisions are necessary to harmonize the HMR with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsModel Regulations. Additionally, PHMSA is adopting several amendments to the HMR that would allow for increased alignment with the Transport Canada, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

This notice announces that PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety will host three public meetings during 2020 in advance of certain international meetings. The first meeting will be held in preparation of the 57th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG), held June 29 to July 8, 2020, in Geneva, Switzerland. The second meeting will be held in preparation of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) Working Group 20 (WG/20) meeting held September 21-25, 2020, in Montreal, Canada. The third meeting will be held in preparation of the 58th session of the UNSCOE TDG held November 30 to December 8, 2020, in Geneva, Switzerland. For each of these meetings, PHMSA will solicit public input on U.S. government positions regarding proposals submitted by member countries in advance of each meeting.

PHMSA is soliciting public comment on proposed amendments to the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations for the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines that would revise the requirements for facility response plans, revise the definition for accidents, and consider repealing, replacing, or modifying other specific regulations. The intent of these changes is to reduce regulatory burdens and improve regulatory clarity without compromising safety and environmental protection.