Pipeline Safety Practice
Issue Alerts
PHMSA Issues Interim Final Rule Establishing Procedures for Safety Orders and Special Permits
Susan Olenchuk, Emily PitlickApril 2, 2008
The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued an interim final rule that establishes procedures for issuing Safety Orders and handling requests for emergency and non-emergency Special Permits.
PHMSA Proposes Regulations to Permit Certain Gas Transmission
Susan Olenchuk, Tyson KadeMarch 17, 2008
On March 12, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend existing federal pipeline safety regulations to enable operators of gas transmission pipelines to obtain approval to calculate higher maximum allowable operating pressures for certain lines by using higher design factors.
PHMSA Issues Advisory Bulletin Regarding Mechanical Couplings Used in Natural Gas Distribution Systems
Susan Olenchuk, Pam AndersonMarch 5, 2008
On March 4, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin urging operators of natural gas distribution systems to review their procedures for using mechanical couplings and ensure that design and installation procedures for couplings, leak survey procedures, and personnel qualifications meet federal pipeline safety requirements.
FERC Issues Staff Report on Enforcement
Pamela J. Anderson, John H. Burnes, Kay L. Henry, Paul KormanNovember 14, 2007
On November 14, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Staff Report on Enforcement that provides background into the evolution of its enforcement program, and shows how FERC uses its enforcement tools to encourage companies to develop effective compliance programs and to deter and punish misconduct.
PHMSA Proposes to Extend Safety Regulations to Rural Large-Diameter Low-Stress Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
Julia Wood, Susan Moore OlenchukMay 22, 2007
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a supplement to its pending notice of proposed rulemaking (Supplemental Notice) that would extend all Part 195 safety regulations to rural large-diameter low-stress hazardous liquid pipelines.