Agency Seeks Comments on Pipeline Reporting Forms
Published Date: 6/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wants to update the forms pipeline companies use to report accidents and yearly info about gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. They’re asking for public feedback by August 17, 2026, to make sure the new forms are clear and useful. These changes help keep pipelines safer without adding extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Operators: Major reporting burden cut
PHMSA proposes removing many fields from annual, incident, and accident forms to reduce operator paperwork and duplication. Examples include removing time zone and daylight savings fields, zip code fields, granular fatality/injury subcategories, NRC timestamp fields, non-overnight hospitalization fields, and reserving Part G (unaccounted for gas) for gas distribution annual reports.
New material-specific reporting required
PHMSA proposes new annual reporting for certain high-risk materials: operators must report mileage of 'PE Brittle-Like' distribution mains and services (as defined in Advisory Bulletin 07-01, Sep. 6, 2007), and report cast- and wrought-iron pipelines six inches or less in diameter plus counts for PVC and ABS where relevant.
New corrosion and CP metrics required
PHMSA proposes adding technical corrosion-related fields to incident/accident forms, including stray current density (mA/cm2), cathodic protection (CP) potentials and criteria (on/off potentials), and the location of corrosion coupons. These will appear in amended Part G1/E and related sections.
Data changes aimed at better safety analysis
PHMSA states that the proposed form changes are intended to improve pipeline safety by ensuring that information collected is necessary, less duplicative, and more useful for risk-based, data-driven safety decisions. PHMSA expects improved ability to analyze causes and consequences of incidents.
Remove anomaly counts from Part F
PHMSA proposes removing the requirement to report the number of 'anomalies' identified and excavated in Part F of annual reports, relying instead on the number of conditions repaired. This applies to gas transmission, hazardous liquid, and other relevant annual reports.
Use NPMS as single source for diameter and tanks
PHMSA proposes removing annual report Parts that duplicate National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) attributes: pipeline diameter reporting (Part H) and breakout tank interstate/intrastate designations (Part M) will be moved to NPMS submissions and PHMSA will generate tabular outputs from NPMS.
Standardized contributing-factor categories
PHMSA proposes replacing overlapping, inconsistent lists of incident contributing factors in Parts J/K with a single standardized list (for example: Communication/Planning, Construction Practices, Control Room Operations, Leak Detection, Manufacturing Defect, Training, etc.) and requiring operators to select all that apply.
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
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22617, Deepwater Port Application Processing and Licensing
The government is switching who handles deepwater port license applications from the Coast Guard to the Maritime Administration (MARAD). This change means MARAD will lead the environmental review process, while the Coast Guard keeps managing port safety and operations. If you’re involved in deepwater ports, get ready to send your comments by January 4, 2027, and watch for new rules that could affect how licenses are processed.
2026-22396, Pipeline Safety: Amendments to Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities
The government wants to update safety rules for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities to match the latest industry standards and new technology. These changes affect LNG operators and aim to make facilities safer by using smarter, risk-based approaches. Comments on the proposal are open until January 4, 2027, with no immediate cost changes announced.
2026-21794, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 108 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA is updating vehicle lighting rules to better fit cars with self-driving tech and remove outdated requirements. These changes mainly affect vehicles with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that don’t have manual controls, making designs simpler and cutting unnecessary costs without hurting safety. Comments are open until November 25, 2026, so manufacturers and the public can weigh in before these smarter, more flexible rules roll out.
2026-21058, Cause of Airline Delay and Cancellation Categories Under Section 511(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; Delay of Effective Date
The U.S. Department of Transportation is pushing back a new rule about how airlines report delays and cancellations from October 19, 2026, to February 1, 2027. This rule affects airlines that must now separate certain delay causes to give travelers clearer info. No extra costs are mentioned, just a little more time to get ready!
2026-19964, The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The SAFE Vehicles Rule III updates fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031, making sure manufacturers build vehicles that better match what American families want and need. This rule changes how fuel efficiency is measured and sets new deadlines starting November 30, 2026. It aims to save money at the pump and help the environment by encouraging smarter, more affordable vehicle designs.
2026-18040, Cause of Airline Delay and Cancellation Categories Under Section 511(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is amending its regulations governing how air carriers report the causes of flight cancellations and delays. This action implements Section 511(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which mandates that ten specific types of events be excluded from the "Air Carrier" causal reporting code. That code is reserved for circumstances that are within the carrier's control. This final rule creates a new reporting category to capture these ten specific events, ensuring that the data reported to the Department and shared with the traveling public accurately reflects the statutory distinction between carrier-controllable events and the specific exclusions identified by Congress.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12313, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 15 hard of hearing or deaf drivers, letting them keep driving big trucks across state lines. These exemptions mean they don’t have to meet the usual hearing rules but still follow all other safety laws. The renewed permissions have specific start and end dates, helping these drivers keep their jobs without extra costs or delays.
Next: 2026-12316, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new requests to change natural gas pipeline rates starting in July 2026. Companies like Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and Bison Pipeline want to update their prices, which could affect customers and businesses using these pipelines. If you want to speak up or get involved, you’ve got until late June to file your comments or protests.