PHMSA issued an Advisory Bulletin regarding telephonic reporting to the National Response Center (NRC). 78 Fed. Reg. 6402 (January 30, 2013). The Advisory notes that existing pipeline safety regulations under 49 C.F.R. Parts 191.5 and 195.52 require gas, liquid and LNG operators to report incidents to the NRC at the earliest practicable opportunity, “usually one-to-two hours after discovering the incident,” and file additional telephonic reports if there are significant changes in the number of fatalities, injuries, product release estimates or the extent of damages. Id. (emphasis added). In addition, PHMSA explains that pursuant to the 2012 PSA amendments the Agency will issue regulations requiring owners and operators to contact the NRC within one hour of discovery of an incident. The Agency did not indicate when a rulemaking is expected, but “encourages” owners and operators to report “as a practice” accidents and incidents within one hour of “confirmed discovery.” Click here to review the Advisory Bulletin.