[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023]
The industry trade associations filed joint comments to the “congressional mandates” rulemaking to amend the federal safety regulations applicable to gas transmission and gathering pipelines. (See related article in the April 2018 Edition of the DOT Pipeline Compliance Newsletter.) Their comments and the GPAC Slide Presentation on the Gas Rule are posted on the regulations.gov website.
PHMSA plans to break-up the mega-rule into three smaller rulemakings. This first rulemaking is associated with the 2011 congressional mandates, including: MAOP reconfirmation, pipeline integrity for non-HCA’s and O&M. Most believe it will be published in the federal register as a final rule before the end of the year.
The second rulemaking will deal with the remaining mega-rule proposals, minus gas gathering. And, the third rulemaking will deal with new regulations applicable to gas gathering pipelines. These rulemakings are expected sometime in 2019.
RCP has been closely following this rulemaking since its inception and published a Special Edition Newsletter devoted entirely to this mega-rule.