Pipeline Agency Seeks Comments on Record-Keeping Rules
Published Date: 7/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The Pipeline Safety folks want to keep making sure pipeline companies keep good records about their pipes and tests. They’re asking for your thoughts by August 12, 2026, to help reduce paperwork and keep things safe without extra hassle. This affects pipeline operators who must follow new record-keeping rules tied to safety checks, but it won’t cost them extra money—just better paperwork!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
O&M Manual Update Burden
If a gas transmission pipeline operator has a class location change and chooses the Integrity Management (IM) alternative, you must amend your operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals to add the program requirements. PHMSA estimates about 137 pipeline miles will need updates at about 80 hours per mile, for a total of 10,960 annual burden hours and 137 total annual responses.
Life‑of‑Pipeline Record Retention
Owners and operators of gas transmission pipelines must keep records of all actions taken to meet the Class Location Change program requirements for the life of the pipeline. This is an ongoing recordkeeping obligation tied to the program requirements.
TVC Recordkeeping Burden Removed
PHMSA revised the information collection to remove the estimated burden for maintaining traceable, verifiable, and complete (TVC) records for pressure tests and pipe materials for operators electing the IM alternative, because TVC requirements already exist in the pipeline safety regulations.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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