News

Will PHMSA’s final Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Rule survive the Trump Administration review?

On January 13, 2017, just one week before President Trump’s inauguration, PHMSA released final updates to the Pipeline Safety Regulations applicable to onshore transportation of hazardous liquids (“Final Rule”).

Washington State updates pipeline legislation

The Washington State Department of Ecology updated rules for pipeline operators who move oil through the state. The updated rule, ‘the oil spill contingency plan rule’, requires pipeline operators to commit to more comprehensive oil spill response planning.

U.S. regulators yet to approve full restart of Colonial pipeline

A spokesman for the U.S. regulator told Reuters on Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) has yet to approve Colonial Pipeline Co's plan to restore its original gasoline line to service after a leak in September.

Pipeline bills discussed by Congress

Two bills currently going through the Senate and House of Representatives

U.S. regulator says pipelines cannot be designated as "idled"

Pipeline operators need to classify pipelines as either active or abandoned status when considering safety. The designation of “idled” is not recognized by law, according to a bulletin from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).