Pipeline Proposal Would Expand Reporting And Testing, Cost $22.4M Annually

Michael K. Friedberg is a Sr Policy Advisor, David Whitestone a Partner and Jameson B. Rice an Associate in our Washington, D.C. office; Thomas D. Leland is a Partner in our Denver office.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In response to this year's high-profile pipeline incidents, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is expected to finalize numerous proposed rulemaking measures regulating pipeline safety in the coming year.
• The latest, and most expansive, of these proposed changes is found in the Regulatory Impact Analysis and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released on Oct. 1. The comment period for the PHMSA proposed rule runs through Jan. 8, 2016.
• The proposed rule significantly expands the reach of many requirements that currently pertain only to pipelines in High Consequence Areas (HCAs) by expanding the requirements to all pipelines. Gathering line reporting and the use of in-line integrity inspection tools also would be expanded.