During a busy time for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA or the Agency), and while Congress considers reauthorization legislation, there have been several significant personnel changes at the Agency.
Continue Reading Key Pipeline Safety Organizational Changes
PHMSA
PHMSA Publishes Gas NPRM; Comments Due on or Before June 7, 2016
PHMSA’s expansive Natural Gas Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, April 8, 2016. …
Continue Reading PHMSA Publishes Gas NPRM; Comments Due on or Before June 7, 2016
Expansive Proposed Rulemaking Issued by PHMSA for Natural Gas Pipelines
PHMSA has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM or Notice) to substantially revise that Agency’s rules (at 49 CFR Part 192) for construction, operation and maintenance of natural gas pipeline systems. …
Continue Reading Expansive Proposed Rulemaking Issued by PHMSA for Natural Gas Pipelines
Extensive New Rules for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines Proposed by PHMSA
PHMSA has issued a pre-publication copy of its much-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning hazardous liquid pipeline safety issues.
Continue Reading Extensive New Rules for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines Proposed by PHMSA
New Construction Inspection Rule Delayed Indefinitely; Pressure Vessel Testing Exception Under Consideration
By Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on
Posted in Administrative Rulemaking, PHMSA
In a recent Final Rule, PHMSA delayed indefinitely the effective date of its new amendment to 49 C.F.R. Part 192.305 concerning construction inspections, and agreed to consider an exception to the new requirement in Part 192.153(e) that ASME pressure vessels be pressure tested at 1.5 times MAOP.
Continue Reading New Construction Inspection Rule Delayed Indefinitely; Pressure Vessel Testing Exception Under Consideration
Ninth Circuit Rejects San Francisco Lawsuit Against PHMSA
By Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed dismissal of a lawsuit brought in 2012 by the City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco) to challenge PHMSA’s oversight of State enforcement of pipeline safety standards before and after the San Bruno pipeline incident in 2010. …
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Rejects San Francisco Lawsuit Against PHMSA
PHMSA Proposes Expanded Use of Excess Flow Valves on Gas Distribution Lines
PHMSA is proposing to amend its regulations applicable to natural gas distribution/service lines at 49 C.F.R. Part 192 to require expanded use of excess flow valves (EFVs) and manual service line shut-off valves (e.g. curb valves) in certain applications.
Continue Reading PHMSA Proposes Expanded Use of Excess Flow Valves on Gas Distribution Lines
PHMSA Comes Under Scrutiny as Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization Draws Near
Posted on
The Pipeline Safety Act (PSA) is up for reauthorization at the end of September of this year and, in the wake of recent high-profile incidents and increased scrutiny of the effectiveness of PHMSA pipeline safety oversight, it remains to be seen whether Congress will impose new substantive amendments to the statute or simply pass a…
PHMSA Contemplates Reducing State Agency Oversight of Interstate Pipelines
Posted on
PHMSA recently indicated it is contemplating rescinding interstate agency agreements which would reduce state participation in oversight of interstate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Continue Reading PHMSA Contemplates Reducing State Agency Oversight of Interstate Pipelines
DOT Inspector General Announces Audit of PHMSA
By Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) will commence an audit this month of PHMSA’s pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs to assess the Agency’s performance, with particular emphasis on its progress and process for implementing congressional mandates and recommendations from NTSB, GAO, and OIG, dating back to 2005.
Continue Reading DOT Inspector General Announces Audit of PHMSA