Interim Final Rule allows the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) to respond immediately to unsafe
conditions or practices that pose an imminent hazard to public
health and safety or to the environment.
On October 3, the PHMSA of the US Department of Transportation
issued an Interim Final Rule to implement newly granted authority
enabling PHMSA to issue industry-wide emergency orders without
notice and comment in certain circumstances. Established by US
Congress, the ability to issue emergency orders is a substantial
expansion of PHMSA's authority.
As permitted by Congress and contemplated in the regulations
issued in the October 3 Interim Final Rule, PHMSA is able to
respond immediately to violations of pipeline safety laws or unsafe
conditions or practices that constitute or cause an imminent hazard
to public health and safety or to the environment. PHMSA is now
able to impose emergency restrictions, prohibitions, and safety
measures on
