OMB Approves PHMSA Pipeline Leak Detection NPRM

 Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs announced that it had approved a notice of proposed rulemaking from DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on “Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair”. The NPRM was submitted to OIRA on February 13^th, 2023.

 According to the Fall 2022 Unified Agenda listing for the rulemaking:

 “This rulemaking would amend the pipeline safety regulations to enhance requirements for detecting and repairing leaks on new and existing natural gas distribution, gas transmission, and gas gathering pipelines. The proposed rule is necessary to respond to a mandate from section 113 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020.”

We will probably see this NPRM published in the Federal Register next week.