Proposed Rule: Increasing MAOP for Gas Transmission Pipelines

The Department of Transportation / Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA) proposed to amend the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher stress levels. The result would be an increase of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) over that currently allowed in the regulations. Please reference RCP's newsletter article on the proposed rule in the April 2008 edition of DOT Pipeline Compliance News. PHMSA is extending the period for written comments on the proposed rule until May 19, 2008, and will consider late filed comments so far as practicable. Comments should reference Docket ID PHMSA-2005-23447 and may be submitted to the E-Gov Web Site: http://www.regulations.gov. For a complete copy of the proposed rulemaking, contact Jessica Roger.