PHMSA Sends Valve Installation and Rupture Detection Rule to OMB

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had received a final rule from DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) for “Pipeline Safety: Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to require Valve installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards”.  The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this rule was published on February 6^th, 2020.

According to the abstract for this rulemaking in the Fall 2021 Unified Agenda:

“This rulemaking action would revise the Pipeline Safety Regulations applicable to most newly constructed and entirely replaced onshore natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines to improve rupture mitigation and shorten pipeline segment isolation times. The rulemaking action would define "notification of potential rupture" and outline certain performance standards related to rupture identification and pipeline segment isolation. This rulemaking action also would require specific valve maintenance and inspection requirements, and 9-1-1 notification requirements to help operators achieve better rupture response and mitigation.”