An Update on Pipeline Safety Rules

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has meetings this December to amend safety regulations.

PHMSA’s Technical Advisory, the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee and Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) will meet on December 13, to discuss different topics related to policy issues and pipeline safety. Meetings will continue December 14-15, when they will discuss considerations on rule addressing proposals designated to amend regulations to gas transmission and gathering pipelines.

The pending final rules are related to: enhanced emergency order procedure, plastic pipe rule, safety of gas transmission and gathering pipelines, safety of hazardous liquid pipelines and underground natural gas storage facilities.

Another update: PHMSA has issued a notice seeking comments for a rule change report that will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These changes aimed to clarify selections of Operator Type and revise formula for calculating lost and unaccounted for (LAUF) gas.