Almost four years after the Enbridge crude oil spill near Marshall, Michigan, PHMSA issued an Advisory Bulletin urging operators to evaluate their safety programs and implement changes to eliminate deficiencies identified by the NTSB’s investigation of the release.
Continue Reading PHMSA Issues Advisory Bulletin Regarding 2010 Marshall, Michigan Release
Leak Detection
GAO Releases Report Regarding Pipeline Operator Responses to Incidents in HCAs
By Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on
As required by the 2012 amendments to the Pipeline Safety Act, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) released a report examining the ability of transmission pipeline operators to respond to releases in high consequence areas (HCAs). The report titled, “Better Data and Guidance Needed to Improve Pipeline Operator Incident Response,” concludes that (1) DOT should improve…
PHMSA Administrator Speaks at AOPL-API Leadership Meeting
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On November 8, 2012, PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman addressed the AOPL- API Leadership meeting in Washington, DC. Notably, Ms. Quarterman mentioned the following PHMSA priorities, among others, (1) draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for hazardous liquid pipelines (expected later this month); (2) review of leak detection and valve studies required by the 2012 amendments to…
Clean Rivers Act of 2011
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Senators Baucus and Tester introduced the Clean Rivers Act of 2011 to address perceived gaps in pipeline safety and transparency as a result of the Yellowstone incident. This bill proposes to require PHMSA to review river pipeline crossing regulations and revise them, boost leak detection standards, and update spill response plans. Click here to view…