September 2013

PHMSA has issued a final rule making several significant changes to the Agency’s enforcement procedures. See attached Federal Register pre-publication release of PHMSA Final Rule (Sept. 24, 2013). While this rule purports to comply with various Congressional mandates set forth in the 2012 amendments to the Pipeline Safety Act, it effectively increases and establishes some new Agency enforcement tools.
Continue Reading PHMSA Promulgates Final Rule Regarding Agency Enforcement Procedures

As previously reported, on April 23, 2013, PHMSA proposed changes to the hazardous liquid operators’ accident report (Form 7000-1) to require additional detail regarding “low consequence” releases (releases between 5 gallons and 5 barrels) and to revise instructions regarding spill and recovery volumes, time sequence, and NRC instructions.
Continue Reading PHMSA Responds to Comments on Revised Reporting Forms for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

To comply with Pipeline Safety Act requirements to confirm the operating pressure limits of certain natural gas transmission pipelines, PHMSA held a public workshop on its proposed ‘Integrity Verification Process’ (IVP) on August 7, 2013.  In response to feedback from stakeholders received after the workshop, the Agency announced on September 12, 2013 a revised IVP

PHMSA’s focus on shale activities extends beyond gathering and transmission lines; the Agency also regulates the transportation of hazardous materials, including crude, by rail.  In response to an unfortunate fatality derailment of a parked rail car containing Bakken crude oil that occurred over the summer in Quebec, and subsequent NTSB recommendations and industry petitions,