On July 24, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published an invitation to comment on a preemption application submitted by the States of North Dakota and Montana. The States’ application asks PHMSA to override vapor pressure limits for
Pipelaws
More than a quarter century providing legal analysis to the oil and gas pipeline industry
Pipelaws, published by Troutman Pepper Locke, focuses on legal developments and regulatory updates related to pipeline infrastructure, natural gas, and environmental compliance. The blog covers topics such as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) policies on pipeline project analysis and greenhouse gas emissions, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulations on pipeline safety and leak detection, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules affecting natural gas processing and toxic release reporting, and broader environmental and water law issues impacting the energy and pipeline sectors. It also addresses enforcement, compliance, and litigation matters relevant to pipeline operators and stakeholders.
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D.C. Circuit Suggests FERC Should Try to Quantify Indirect Environmental Impacts of Pipeline Projects
FERC’s consideration of indirect environmental impacts of the projects it certifies has been heavily debated as the concerns over climate change increase. Both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Natural Gas Act (NGA) require that FERC consider how an…
Proposed CEQ Guidelines on Climate Change and NEPA Focus on Permit Streamlining
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new draft guidance at the end of June intended to further permit streamlining generally and greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis specifically. The new guidance replaces previous CEQ guidance issued by the Obama Administration on how…
House Democrats Seek Bipartisan Support with Revised Pipeline Safety Bill
In an attempt to garner support from House Republicans following last week’s release of draft legislation to reauthorize the Pipeline Safety Act (PSA), Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a more bipartisan version, The Safer Pipelines Act…
Beyond the Scope of NOPVs – Recent Region Recommendations
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has recently issued some Region Recommendations in enforcement actions that have either added new material allegations or requested relief beyond that contained in the underlying matter. The Agency’s rules do not provide…
Pipeline Safety Draft Legislation Adds New Proposals to Reauthorization Debate
As the Pipeline Safety Act (PSA) reauthorization deadline approaches, the Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently released draft discussion legislation titled, The Safer Pipelines Act of 2019. The “discussion draft” was released in advance of a…
DOT Issues Pipeline Safety Act Reauthorization Proposal
The Department of Transportation (DOT) released a legislative proposal to Congress on June 3, 2019, to reauthorize the federal Pipeline Safety Act (PSA or the Act) and continue funding the federal agency charged with implementing it, the Pipeline and Hazardous…
Gas Pipeline Safety Rule Clearing Final Hurdle: Operators Should Prepare
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is close to finalizing a rule applicable to the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines that has been nearly eight years in the making. Both Congress and the industry have urged PHMSA…
Pipeline Safety Settlements: Time to Take a Page from Hazmat?
With an increased interest in the resolving disputes efficiently and avoiding litigation where possible, the time may be right for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to clarify the process for settlement of pipeline safety compliance issues, whether…
Third Pipeline Safety Act Hearing Focuses on Security
Congress recently convened its third Committee Hearing on reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act, before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Much of the discussion of focused on pipeline security, among other issues that have been discussed in prior hearings.…