Cutting Red Tape on Pipe Material Checks—Bureaucracy Lite
Published Date: 4/24/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remove Duplicate Pipe Test Requirement
PHMSA proposes to remove the requirement in 49 CFR 192.624(c)(1)(iii) that forced operators to test pipe materials cut out from test manifold sites during MAOP reconfirmation when traceable, verifiable, and complete (TVC) material records already exist. PHMSA says avoiding these duplicative material tests could save an engineer about eight hours per avoided test and may reduce costs that pipeline operators sometimes pass on to the public.
Small Entities: No Significant Impact
PHMSA preliminarily certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that the proposed change will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and is not expected to impose additional burdens. PHMSA also preliminarily finds the rule will reduce regulatory burdens and estimates total costs on the regulated community will be less than zero.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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