DOT greenlights hazmat permit extensions for Hanwha and Space
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation just updated special permits for companies handling hazardous materials, like Hanwha Cimarron and Space, allowing some to extend the service life of their products. If you’re involved in shipping or managing hazardous materials, these changes could affect your operations. Make sure to send any comments by April 25, 2025, to have your say—no extra costs were mentioned, so it’s mostly about staying in the know!
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Hanwha permitted to extend service life
Hanwha Cimarron LLC had three special permits (20418-M, 21136-M, 21491-M) modified to authorize an extended service life program for the covered hazardous materials or packaging.
SpaceX updates splashdown and transport locations
Special permit 21546-M for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. was modified to update designated splashdown locations to the Pacific Ocean, set the designated unloading port to Long Beach, CA, and permit road transport by a SpaceX-operated motor vehicle from that port to Area 59, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL or to Hawthorne, CA.
Orbion authorized extra packaging, modes, materials
Special permit 21663-M for Orbion Space Technology, Inc. was modified to authorize an additional packaging, additional transportation modes, and an additional hazardous material.
Wet batteries allowed in alternative packaging
Special permit 21694-N for Invinity Energy Systems (US) Corporation authorizes the transportation in commerce of wet batteries in alternative packaging.
Lithium batteries >35 kg allowed by cargo-only air
Special permit 21734-N for AVS Gefahrgut & Verpackungen GmbH authorizes the transportation in commerce of lithium batteries exceeding 35 kg by cargo-only aircraft.
DOT 4L cylinders repair without pressure testing
Special permit 21833-N for Cyl-Tec, Inc. authorizes repair of certain DOT 4L cylinders without requiring pressure testing.
Transport of end-of-life batteries and mixed chemistries
Special permit 21866-N for Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. authorizes the transportation in commerce of DDR and end-of-life batteries and allows various chemistries to be shipped in the same alternative packaging.
Tesla allowed rigid 50H packaging for cells
Special permit 21873-N for Tesla, Inc. authorizes transportation in commerce by motor vehicle and rail freight of lithium-ion cells packaged within a rigid plastic 50H Large Packaging.
Non-DOT drums with anhydrous hydrogen chloride allowed
Special permit 21936-N for Electronic Fluorocarbons, LLC authorizes transportation in commerce of non-DOT specification pressure drums containing anhydrous hydrogen chloride.
L3Harris request to use non‑DOT vessels denied
Special permit application 21920-N from L3Harris Technologies, Inc. to authorize transportation in commerce of certain gases in non-DOT specification pressure vessels for use in space vehicles was denied.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13805, Pipeline Safety: Repair Criteria for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipelines
The government wants to update pipeline safety rules to make fixing gas and liquid pipelines smarter, safer, and cheaper. These changes affect pipeline operators who’ll use new tech and clearer guidelines to spot and repair problems faster. Comments are open until September 8, 2026, so get ready to weigh in before the rules get final—and yes, this could save money and prevent accidents!
2026-10969, Pipeline Safety: Breakout Tank Inspection Rule
The Pipeline Safety folks want to update rules for breakout tanks—those tanks that help manage and store hazardous liquids in pipelines. They’re switching to a newer, smarter inspection method that checks tanks based on risk, not just a set schedule. This affects pipeline operators, who should get ready to follow these updated inspections and can share their thoughts by August 3, 2026.
2026-10782, Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Correction
PHMSA fixed a small but important detail in a new pipeline safety rule from January 2026. Pipeline operators can now confirm or restore safe pressure levels when neighborhoods change around their pipes, with a clear 24-month deadline starting either from the rule’s effective date or when they begin work. This helps keep gas pipelines safe without confusion about timing, so operators know exactly when to act and avoid costly delays.
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-08058, Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments; Correction
This update fixes a numbering mistake in the rules for checking the maximum safe pressure of gas pipelines. Pipeline operators must follow the corrected list to avoid confusion, but no new costs or deadlines are added. The fix takes effect on August 3, 2026, making safety rules clearer and easier to follow.
2026-06323, Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Response to Petition for Reconsideration
Pipeline companies and safety pros, listen up! PHMSA just said no to changes requested by the Interstate Natural Gas Association about pipeline safety rules for areas where people live or work. This means the current rules about how pipelines must be upgraded when neighborhoods grow stay in place, so companies should keep their safety upgrades on schedule without extra costs or delays.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05049, Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits
The Department of Transportation is reviewing requests to change special permits for safely moving hazardous materials. These changes could affect companies like Air Liquide and others who handle dangerous goods by road, rail, air, or sea. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to send comments by April 10, 2025—no fees or costs are mentioned, just a chance to weigh in!
Next: 2025-05051, Intent To Request Extension From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Aircraft Repair Station Security
The TSA wants to keep collecting info from aircraft repair stations to make sure security stays strong. This affects FAA-certified repair shops, who’ll keep tracking records and can ask for reviews if needed. They’re asking for public feedback by May 27, 2025, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just a paperwork extension to keep things running smoothly.