Cutting Red Tape: No More Cutting Pipes for Safety Checks
Published Date: 4/24/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
PHMSA is making pipeline safety rules simpler by removing a needless step that required testing pipe materials cut from gas lines during pressure checks. This change helps pipeline operators save time and money without risking safety. Comments on this proposal are open until June 23, 2026, so stakeholders have a chance to weigh in.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No Mandatory Cut-Pipe Material Tests
If you operate a gas transmission pipeline, PHMSA proposes removing the requirement in 49 CFR 192.624(c)(1)(iii) that forced testing of pipe material cut from test manifold sites during MAOP reconfirmation. Under the proposal, operators would only need to test cut pipe when traceable, verifiable, and complete (TVC) material records are missing, so you could avoid an engineer’s roughly 8 hours of work per pipe-material test.
No Significant Impact on Small Entities
PHMSA certifies that this proposed change will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and expects the revision will reduce regulatory burdens by clarifying when material verification testing is required under Sec. 192.624. The agency states the amendment is not expected to impose additional burdens on operators.
Possible Lower Consumer Gas Costs
PHMSA says avoiding unnecessary pipe-material tests may reduce compliance costs that pipeline operators often pass on to the public. While PHMSA did not quantify savings, it noted an engineer could spend about eight hours per test and expects some portion of avoided costs may lower costs for customers.
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