Welcome to Regulatory Watch! In this monthly update, we’ll keep you informed on proposed rule comment periods, effective dates, and upcoming deadlines for various compliance requirements.
Sprint I
To further the Administration’s deregulatory policies, PHMSA has published in today’s Federal Register twenty-eight (28) separate rulemaking actions affecting the pipeline safety regulations (PSR; Parts 190-199). Click here to access the documents.
| Pipeline Safety: Rationalize Special Permit Conditions | PHMSA proposes to amend its special permit procedures to ensure permit conditions are directly tied to the specific pipeline safety regulations being waived. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Rationalize Calculation of Regulatory Filing and Compliance Deadlines | PHMSA will clarify that regulatory filing and compliance deadlines falling on weekends or Federal holidays automatically move to the next business day. | DFR | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Adjust Annual Report Filing Timelines | PHMSA will amend annual reporting requirements to move the gas pipeline annual report submission deadline from March to June. | DFR | 49 CFR Part 191 |
| Pipeline Safety: Property Damage Definition for Incident Reporting | PHMSA will clarify incident reporting property damage calculations for gas pipelines and update hazardous liquid accident reporting thresholds using inflation-adjusted criteria. | DFR | 49 CFR Parts 191 & 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Exception for In-Plant Piping Systems | PHMSA proposes to clarify that in-plant piping systems are not subject to federal pipeline safety regulations. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Codify Enforcement Discretion on Incidental Gathering Lines | PHMSA proposes to codify enforcement discretion clarifying that restrictions on the historical incidental gathering line exemption apply only to newly constructed lines. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Eliminate Burdensome Coating Assessment Deadlines | PHMSA proposes to replace prescriptive deadlines for coating damage assessments and remediation with a requirement that activities be completed before the pipeline is placed in service. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Atmospheric Corrosion Reassessment for Pipeline Replacements | PHMSA proposes to remove the 3-year reassessment interval following replacement of atmospheric corrosion defects and allow use of the standard 5-year reassessment interval. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Harmonize Class Change Pressure Test Requirements | PHMSA proposes to reduce the minimum pressure test duration following certain class location changes from 8 hours to 4 hours, aligning with existing Subpart J requirements. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Clarify MAOP Reconfirmation Testing Records | PHMSA will issue a technical correction clarifying that operators may use pre-1970s pressure test records when reconfirming MAOP under §192.624. | Final Rule | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Remote Sensing Technologies for ROW Patrols | PHMSA will explicitly allow right-of-way patrols to be conducted using unmanned aircraft systems, satellites, and other remote sensing technologies. | DFR | 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Technical Standards Updates and Amendments | PHMSA will update incorporated standards and make technical amendments in response to an industry petition for reconsideration. | Final Rule | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety Program: Update of Standards Incorporated by Reference | PHMSA issued multiple direct final rules updating incorporated industry consensus standards used throughout Parts 192 and 195, replacing outdated editions with current versions. | Multiple DFRs | 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195 |
Sprint II
The following is a summary of the 40 rulemakings that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. A hyperlink has been provided to each rule. If any adverse comment is received to a DFR PHMSA must rescind the rule and repropose.
| Pipeline Safety and Hazardous Materials Safety: Amendments to PHMSA Procedural Regulations | PHMSA proposed miscellaneous amendments to procedural regulations governing informal rulemaking for both pipeline safety and hazardous materials programs. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Interpretation Request Procedures | PHMSA amended interpretation procedures to require publication of interpretation requests on its website and provide an opportunity for public comment. | Final Rule | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Declaratory Order Procedures | PHMSA established formal procedures for issuing declaratory orders through a new section in Part 190. | Final Rule | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Consent Orders | PHMSA clarified that consent agreements may be used to resolve enforcement actions, including cases involving civil penalties. | Final Rule | 49 CFR Part 190 |
| Pipeline Safety: Adjustment to OPID Notifications for Construction | PHMSA proposed adjusting the inflation-based threshold that triggers OPID notifications for certain construction and facility modification activities. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 191 |
| Pipeline Safety: Eliminating Limitations on Welders and Welding Operators | PHMSA proposed allowing welders qualified through non-destructive testing methods to perform compressor station welding activities currently subject to additional restrictions. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Material Properties Verification During MAOP Reconfirmation | PHMSA proposed clarifying that material testing at pressure test manifold sites is not required when traceable, verifiable, and complete material records already exist. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Electronic Retention of Part 194 Response Plans | PHMSA amended regulations to allow operators to maintain electronic copies of response plans instead of paper copies. | DFR | 49 CFR Part 194 |
| Pipeline Safety: Remote Monitoring of Rectifiers | PHMSA proposed allowing remote monitoring technologies for rectifiers used in external corrosion control programs. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Clarifying Hazardous Liquid High-Consequence Area Designations | PHMSA amended HCA guidance to clarify spill considerations in agricultural fields and reorganize threat identification guidance. | DFR | 49 CFR Part 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Timeframe to Make Rupture-Mitigation Valves Operational | PHMSA proposed extending the deadline for placing rupture-mitigation valves into operation from 14 days to 90 days after a pipeline enters service. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 192 |
| Pipeline Safety: Hazardous Liquid Valve Maintenance Schedule | PHMSA proposed allowing operators to implement risk-based valve maintenance schedules, subject to a maximum inspection interval of one year. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Property Damage Definition for Incident Reporting | PHMSA proposes revising property damage thresholds for reportable gas and hazardous liquid pipeline incidents and clarifying applicability to telephonic notifications. | NPRM | 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Remote Sensing Technologies for ROW Patrols | PHMSA proposes clarifying that unmanned aerial systems, satellites, and other remote-sensing technologies may be used to satisfy right-of-way patrol requirements. | NPRM | 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195 |
| Pipeline Safety: Adjust Annual Report and NPMS Filing Timelines | PHMSA proposes extending annual report and NPMS submission deadlines for gas pipeline and storage operators to June 15 each year. | NPRM | 49 CFR Part 191 |
| Pipeline Safety: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications | PHMSA issued multiple final rules correcting editorial errors, updating references, removing obsolete submission methods, and improving regulatory clarity. | Final Rules | Various |
| Pipeline Safety: Update of Standards Incorporated by Reference | PHMSA issued multiple direct final rules updating incorporated industry consensus standards, including NFPA, ASTM, MSS, NACE, and ASME standards. | Multiple DFRs | 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195 |
Have questions about an upcoming deadline? Please reach out to Jessica Foley for assistance!