[DOCKET NO. PHMSA-2016-0049]
PHMSA is seeking public comment on a PHMSA-authored report titled: “Background for Regulating the Transportation of Carbon Dioxide in a Gaseous State,” which is available in the docket at PHMSA-2016-0049. The report evaluates existing and potential future gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines and outlines PHMSA’s approach for establishing minimum pipeline safety standards for the transportation of carbon dioxide in a gaseous state to fulfill the requirements of section 15 of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (the Act). The Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to “prescribe minimum safety standards for the transportation of carbon dioxide by pipeline in a gaseous state.” Note: PHMSA already regulates pipelines which carry super-critical (i.e. high pressure) CO2 in 49 CFR 195.
PHMSA is seeking to better understand the possible effects of the regulatory scenarios presented within the report, as well as the locations and extent of gaseous carbon dioxide pipelines, and is requesting feedback on the validity and applicability of these effects and the location and extent of these pipelines. As PHMSA does not currently regulate these pipelines, its ability to reach out and locate operators of gaseous carbon dioxide pipelines has been limited and it is unclear if PHMSA’s current information is comprehensive.
Submit comments identified by the Docket ID PHMSA-2016-0049 via the E-Gov website. The public comment period for this notice ends July 27, 2016. For a copy of the notice from the Federal Register, contact Jessica Foley.