Public Comments Open on New Hazmat Special Permit Requests
Published Date: 4/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is reviewing new requests to allow special ways to transport hazardous materials safely. This affects companies moving dangerous goods by truck, train, ship, or plane, and the public can comment until May 15, 2026. These special permits could speed up shipments and improve safety without extra costs for most folks.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Special Permits Could Speed Shipments
The Department of Transportation is considering special permits that the summary says could speed up shipments and improve safety without extra costs for most people. The public can comment on applications through May 15, 2026.
Rotorcraft Permits for Remote Areas
Applicants asked for permits to allow cargo-only rotorcraft external load operations to transport certain hazardous materials to remote areas of the United States. These permits would authorize specific rotorcraft operations under 14 CFR Part 133 (applications 22226-N and 22239-N).
Drone Components Transport Authorization
Zipline International (application 22235-N) requested a permit to transport unmanned autonomous vehicles and their sub-components on special carrying racks in commerce (modes 1, 2, 4).
Radioactive Shipments Between Facilities
International Isotopes Inc. (application 22244-N) requested authorization to transport certain radioactive hazardous materials between manufacturing facilities without being subject to shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, and emergency response information (mode 1).
Methanol Inner-Packaging Exception Request
An applicant (Filtrous Corp., application 22232-N) requested a permit to transport methanol (UN1230) using the 49 CFR 173.13 exception even when the inner packaging exceeds the normally authorized capacity.
Railroad Alternative Procedures Request
Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (application 22233-N) asked for a permit to use alternative procedures in place of the requirements in 49 CFR Sec. 174.28(a) and (b) of the Hazardous Materials Regulations when transporting hazardous materials by rail.
Alternative and Non‑DOT Packaging Requests
American Mobile Research (applications 22237-N and 22238-N) requested permits to transport certain hazardous materials in alternative packaging and in non-DOT specification plastic cases (modes 1 and 4).
Limited Quantity Exception for Explosives/Chemicals
Atlas Chemical (application 22240-N) requested authorization to ship Division 1.4S articles and Division 4.1 materials in accordance with the limited quantity exception (modes 1, 2, 3).
MRI Devices via Cargo‑Only Aircraft
Sunrise Air Cargo (application 22241-N) requested a permit to authorize transportation in commerce of MRI devices via cargo‑only aircraft (mode 4).
Electronic Rail Shipping Documents
R. J. Corman Railroad Company/Nashville & Eastern Railroad Line (application 22242-N) asked for a permit to use electronic means to maintain and communicate onboard train consist and shipping paper information in place of paper documents when hazardous materials are transported by rail (mode 2).
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