On April 24, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a sweeping set of 40 rulemakings to the Federal Register, including a mix of Final Rules, Direct Final Rules (DFRs), and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) covering a wide range of pipeline safety topics.
The actions span multiple sections of the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations and address subjects including:
- Annual report and NPMS filing deadlines
- MAOP reconfirmation requirements
- Part 194 response plans
- Remote sensing technologies for ROW patrols
- Valve maintenance and rupture mitigation timelines
- Corrosion control and remote monitoring
- Hazardous liquid HCA designations
- Updates to standards incorporated by reference
Among the releases were 15 Final Rules, several Direct Final Rules updating industry consensus standards, and numerous NPRMs that could significantly impact future compliance obligations for operators.
Several of the rulemakings were previously issued as Direct Final Rules but were rescinded after receiving adverse comments and have now been reproposed through the standard NPRM process.
Separately, PHMSA has submitted an NPRM to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the Risk-Based Inspection Process for breakout tanks under American Petroleum Institute Standard 653. The proposal has reportedly been under OMB review since early April and is expected to publish soon.
Please message Jessica Foley for a breakdown of the various rulemakings.
Stay tuned as we deploy our regulatory experts to break down these rulemakings, identify the most significant compliance impacts, and provide practical guidance on what pipeline operators should be watching closely. RCP’s SME team will be reviewing the changes in detail and sharing insights on implementation challenges, operational considerations, and potential impacts across the industry.