Since we last reported on PHMSA’s projected rulemaking dates (January 2016 edition of the DOT Pipeline Compliance News), there have been several changes to the projected publications dates for regulations that will affect gas and liquid pipelines. A quick reference table for the pipeline safety regulations that are affected is provided below with a short description of each rulemaking after the table. Click here for the full report.
| PHMSA Rulemaking | Stage | Projected Publication Date |
| Excess Flow Valves | Final Rule | November 30, 2016 |
| Liquid Hazardous Pipelines | Final Rule | December 20, 2016 |
| Rupture Detection and Valves Rule | NPRM | May 30, 2017 |
| Gas Transmission (RRR) | NPRM | April 8, 2016 (Comment period ended on June 8, 2016) |
| Operator Qualification | NPRM | Comments were due September 2015 |
NPRM: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RRR: Retrospective Regulatory Review
Excess Flow Valves
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0009]
This rulemaking would require excess flow valves (EFVs) be installed in all new and renewed gas service lines, for structures other than single family dwellings, when the operating conditions are compatible with readily available valves. These changes would be in response to NTSB and PHMSA investigations of current EFV installation practices. The intended effect of the rule is to increase the level of safety for structures other than single family dwellings currently subject to Federal pipeline safety regulation.
Safety of On-Shore Liquid Hazardous Pipelines
[Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0229]
This rulemaking would address effective procedures that hazardous liquid operators can use to improve the protection of High Consequence Areas (HCA) and other vulnerable areas along their hazardous liquid onshore pipelines. PHMSA is considering whether changes are needed to the regulations covering hazardous liquid onshore pipelines, whether other areas should be included as HCAs for integrity management (IM) protections, what the repair timeframes should be for areas outside the HCAs that are assessed as part of the IM program, whether leak detection standards are necessary, valve spacing requirements are needed on new construction or existing pipelines, and PHMSA should extend regulation to certain pipelines currently exempt from regulation. The agency would also address the public safety and environmental aspects any new requirements as well as the cost implications and regulatory burden.
Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to require Valve installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards
[Docket No. (not assigned yet) / RIN 2137-AF06]
This rule would propose installation of automatic shutoff valves, remote controlled valves, or equivalent technology and establish performance based meaningful metrics for rupture detection for gas and liquid transmission pipelines. The overall intent is that rupture detection metrics will be integrated with ASV and RCV placement with the objective of improving overall incident response. Rupture response metrics would focus on mitigating large, unsafe, uncontrolled release events that have a greater potential consequence. The areas proposed to be covered include High Consequence Areas (HCA) for hazardous liquids and HCA, Class 3 and 4 for natural gas (including could affect areas).
Gas Transmission (RRR)
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023]
In this rulemaking, PHMSA will be revisiting the requirements in the Pipeline Safety Regulations addressing integrity management principles for Gas Transmission pipelines. In particular, PHMSA will address: repair criteria for both HCA and non-HCA areas, assessment methods, validating & integrating pipeline data, risk assessments, knowledge gained through the IM program, corrosion control, change management, gathering lines, and safety features on launchers and receivers.
Operator Qualification, Cost Recovery and Other Pipeline Safety Proposed Changes
[Docket No. PHMSA 2013-0163]
This rulemaking would address various issues that are included in the most recent Pipeline Safety Act, including: Operator Qualification for new construction, incident reporting criteria, cost recovery processes, transportation of non-supercritical carbon dioxide, and renewal process for special permits.