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Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Table of Contents

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

73. Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Oxygen Cylinders and Oxygen Generators Aboard Aircraft

74. Hazardous Materials; Transportation of Lithium Batteries

75. Pipeline Safety: Protecting Unusually Sensitive Areas from Rural Onshore Hazardous Liquid Gathering Lines and Low-Stress Lines

76. Hazardous Materials: Enhancing Rail Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments

77. Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries Aboard Passenger Aircraft

78. Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Storage of Explosives During Transportation

79. Hazardous Materials: Enforcement Regulations



Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
73. 
Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Oxygen Cylinders and Oxygen Generators Aboard Aircraft Red
Popular Title: Oxygen Cylinders and Generators
RIN 2137-AD33
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 05/06/2004; End of Comment Period 08/13/2004; End of Extended Comment Period 12/31/2004.
Abstract: This rulemaking would require oxygen cylinders and oxygen generators, when transported aboard aircraft, to be packed in an outer packaging that meets prescribed thermal and heat resistance requirements. These requirements would increase the level of safety associated with transportation of oxidizing gases by air. This rule has no impact on the use of passenger-owned oxygen cylinders. This rule is significant due to public interest.
Effects:
  Information Collection
Prompting action: None
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/01/2000
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 03/06/2006  09/18/2006  08/15/2006 
To OMB 04/07/2006  10/23/2006  10/23/2006 
OMB Clearance 07/06/2006  01/22/2007   
Publication Date 07/13/2006  01/29/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
74. 
Hazardous Materials; Transportation of Lithium Batteries Red
Popular Title: Lithium Batteries
RIN 2137-AD48
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 4/02/2002; End of Comment Period 6/02/2002.
Abstract: This rulemaking would revise requirements applicable to the transportation of lithium batteries to achieve greater consistency with international requirements. This rulemaking responds to NTSB recommendations. PHMSA has prepared and published for public comment an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) in order to determine the impact of its proposal on small entities.
Effects:
  Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prompting action: None
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 04/02/2002
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 03/05/2003  03/05/2003  03/05/2003 
To OMB 04/09/2003  06/09/2003  06/06/2003 
Returned by OMB     08/22/2003 
Resubmitted to OST   12/13/2006   
Resubmitted to OMB/2   01/18/2007   
OMB Clearance 07/09/2003  04/18/2007   
Publication Date 07/16/2003  04/25/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
75. 
Pipeline Safety: Protecting Unusually Sensitive Areas from Rural Onshore Hazardous Liquid Gathering Lines and Low-Stress Lines Green
Popular Title: Petroleum Gathering Lines and Low Stress Lines
RIN 2137-AD98
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would establish limited safety rules for rural onshore hazardous liquid gathering pipelines and low stress pipelines that are within a defined buffer of an unusually sensitive area. These areas include drinking water and ecological resource areas, which are particularly vulnerable to a pipeline release. The safety requirements would address the most common threats to the integrity of these pipelines.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 02/04/2004
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 07/20/2006  08/08/2006  08/09/2006 
To OMB 08/23/2006  09/12/2006  08/23/2006 
OMB Clearance 11/23/2006  12/12/2006  08/30/2006 
Publication Date 11/30/2006  12/19/2006  09/06/2006 
End of Comment Period 01/31/2007  02/20/2007  11/06/2006 
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: 71 FR 52504


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
76. 
Hazardous Materials: Enhancing Rail Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments Red
Popular Title: Rail routing rule
RIN 2137-AE02
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage: Request for Comments: Publication Date 08/16/04; End of Comment Period 10/18/04.
Abstract: In consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), PHMSA would revise the current requirements on the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials transported in commerce by rail. It may require rail carriers to (1) compile annual data on certain shipments of hazardous materials and use the data to analyze safety and security risks along rail transportation routes where those materials are transported; (2) assess alternative routing options and make routing decisions based on those assessments; and (3) clarify the current security plan requirements to address en route storage and delays in transit.
Effects:
  Regulatory Flexibility Act
Information Collection
Prompting action: Secretarial/Head of Operating Administration Decision
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 05/01/2004
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 02/03/2006    01/19/2006 
Returned to Mode     02/02/2006 
Resubmitted to OST   04/14/2006  04/10/2006 
To OMB 03/08/2006  09/12/2006  09/13/2006 
OMB Clearance 05/08/2006  12/11/2006  12/06/2006 
Publication Date 05/16/2006  12/26/2006   
End of Comment Period 07/24/2006  02/28/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
77. 
Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries Aboard Passenger Aircraft Red
Popular Title: Primary Lithium Battery Ban
RIN 2137-AE05
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: Interim Final Rule: Publication Date 12/15/2004; End of Comment Period 02/15/2005.
Abstract: This rulemaking would prohibit the offering for transportation and transportation of primary lithium batteries and cells as cargo aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. This prohibition would apply to both foreign and domestic passenger-carrying aircraft entering, leaving, or operating in the United States. The rule would also require that, when offered for transport in other modes, shipments of primary lithium batteries and cells must be marked to indicate that they are forbidden from transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Secretarial/Head of Operating Administration Decision
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/01/2004
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 03/06/2006    02/16/2006 
Withdrawn from OST     03/01/2006 
Resubmitted to OST   12/13/2006   
To OMB 04/07/2006  01/18/2007   
OMB Clearance 07/06/2006  04/18/2007   
Publication Date 07/13/2006  04/25/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
78. 
Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Storage of Explosives During Transportation Green
Popular Title: Storage of Explosives
RIN 2137-AE06
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage: ANPRM: Publication Date 11/16/2005;End of Comment Period 02/14/2006.
Abstract: This rulemaking would address the current safety and security risks associated with the storage of explosives during transportation.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: None
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/01/2005
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 02/02/2007     
To OMB 03/09/2007     
OMB Clearance 06/07/2007     
Publication Date 06/14/2007     
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
79. 
Hazardous Materials: Enforcement Regulations Red
Popular Title: Package Inspection Authority
RIN 2137-AE13
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: Pursuant to a mandate in SAFETEA-LU (section 7118 of P.L. 109-59), this rulemaking would establish procedural regulations to implement authority provided to DOT to open packages believed to contain hazardous materials; remove such packages from transportation; gather information; order the package transported to a facility for examination and analysis; obtain assistance from qualified persons; and issue emergency restrictions, prohibitions, recalls, or out-of-service orders to abate an imminent hazard.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  Temporary Rule : 10/11/2005
Final Rule : 08/10/2006
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/10/2005
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 06/06/2006  01/29/2007   
To OMB 07/11/2006  03/30/2007   
OMB Clearance 10/11/2006  06/28/2007   
Publication Date 10/18/2006  07/06/2007   
End of Comment Period 12/19/2006  09/05/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None