The significance of pipeline safety has grown dramatically in recent years, primarily as a result of several high-profile incidents and the development of the nation’s shale plays. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. PHMSA also administers a grant program that allows states to regulate certain pipelines and LNG facilities in their jurisdictions. Rail transportation safety has also become a very important issue, particularly with the rapid growth in the crude-by-rail (CBR) market and in response to recent rail accidents in Canada and the United States. In cooperation with other DOT operating agencies, PHMSA also administers a hazardous materials safety program, including regulatory requirements that apply to the CBR industry.  

Join Jim Curry and Keith Coyle as they provide an an overview of current transportation safety issues impacting the midstream sector, including the basic functions of the federal and state pipeline safety programs and a discussion of the regulations for gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines in the Marcellus. In addition, they will also review the federal hazardous materials safety regulations for the CBR sector and provide a discussion of DOT’s recent emergency orders and rulemaking activities.

For more information and to register, please visit the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation's website.