Bye Fax, Hello Email: Pipeline Safety Reports Get a Simple Update

2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures

The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving the rules about how it makes new regulations, issues guidance, and enforces laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation safety and compliance, updating how decisions are reviewed and enforced. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to make the process clearer and more efficient without adding new costs.

2026-09392 — Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits

The Department of Transportation is reviewing new special permit requests for safely moving hazardous materials, like damaged lithium-ion batteries. If you work with these materials, now’s your chance to comment before June 11, 2026. These permits could change how some dangerous goods are transported, making things safer and possibly saving money on special packaging rules.

2026-09304 — Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee

The Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee is meeting on May 28, 2026, to talk about new safety rules for gas pipelines that affect pipeline companies and the public. They’ll review proposed changes aimed at making gas distribution safer, and everyone can join in person or online. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until June 29, 2026, to send in comments—this could impact how pipelines operate and keep communities safer.

2026-08673 — Pipeline Safety: Adjustment to OPID Notifications for Construction; Correction

The Department of Transportation fixed a mistake in a recent rule about when gas pipeline companies must notify the government about construction costs. They’re raising the cost limits for reporting from $10 million to $20 million and from $200,000 to $300,000 to keep up with inflation. This change affects pipeline operators and helps make sure the rules match what was originally intended, starting May 5, 2026.

2026-08064 — Pipeline Safety: Removing Obsolete Provision From Safety-Related Condition Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Facilities

Starting August 3, 2026, pipeline operators must stop sending safety reports by fax and switch to email only. This change affects companies handling hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines and speeds up how quickly safety info gets to the right people. No extra costs here—just a smoother, faster way to keep pipelines safe!

2026-08067 — Pipeline Safety: Removing Unnecessary Provision for Material Properties Verification During MAOP Reconfirmation

PHMSA is making pipeline safety rules simpler by removing a needless step that required testing certain pipe materials during pressure checks. This change helps gas pipeline operators save time and money without cutting corners on safety. Comments on this proposal are open until June 23, 2026, so stakeholders have a chance to weigh in.

Previous: 2026-08058 — Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments; Correction

This rule fixes a typo in the safety rules for gas pipelines, making sure the pressure limits are clear and easy to follow. Pipeline operators must follow the corrected list when checking their pipes’ maximum pressure starting August 3, 2026. No new costs or big changes—just a clean-up to keep things safe and simple!

Next: 2026-08060 — Pipeline Safety: Interpretation Request Procedures

Starting April 24, 2026, PHMSA will post all pipeline safety interpretation requests on its website and let the public comment on them. This change affects anyone involved in pipeline safety rules by making the process more open and transparent. There’s no new cost, but now you can see and share your thoughts on questions about pipeline safety before PHMSA responds.