Hazardous Pipeline Accidents: Phone Calls Only, No Emails Allowed Starting 2026

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: 2026-08061 — Pipeline Safety: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications to Criteria for Conducting Integrity Assessments Using Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing

This update fixes a numbering typo in the pipeline safety rules about using guided wave ultrasonic testing, making the rules clearer and easier to follow. Pipeline operators and inspectors will see no new costs or changes in how they work, and the fix takes effect on August 3, 2026. It’s a simple cleanup that keeps safety checks smooth and straightforward!

Next: 2026-08063 — Pipeline Safety: Editorial Correction to Requirements for Low-Stress Hazardous Liquid Pipelines in Rural Areas

This update fixes a small but important mistake in the rules for low-stress hazardous liquid pipelines in rural areas. Pipeline operators now have the correct reference to follow for their safety checks, making sure they know exactly when to do their baseline assessments. The change kicks in on August 3, 2026, and won’t cost anyone extra—it’s just a clean-up to keep things clear and safe!