ABOUT SPECIAL PERMITS

The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) set out the safest method to transport hazmat in commerce—but they do not cover every possible method of transportation or situation and disasters may present unique challenges. A special permit is a document that authorizes a party to perform a function that is not currently authorized under federal hazmat regulations, provided the party adheres to specific safety instructions in the document. All special permit applications require a data-driven safety analysis that demonstrates that the requested functions will maintain at least the same level of safety as provided under current regulations.

In the event of a significant event and/or disaster, PHMSA's Offices of Hazardous Materials Safety and Pipeline Safety may issue special permits to facilitate quick and safe recovery efforts. PHMSA stands ready to issue emergency special permits for the transport of hazardous materials from and within disaster areas.

Please check the Latest News scroll on PHMSA.dot.gov for the most recent emergency special permits issued. The following are examples of emergency special permits PHMSA has issued during past disaster response and relief efforts. Note, these are not currently active and may not be used for operations:

• Emergency Special Permit to EPA for Regional Hurricane Assistance
  
  
• Emergency Special Permit to Commercial Motor Vehicles for Hurricane Assistance
  
  
• Emergency Special Permit to Wal-Mart for Hurricane Relief
  
  
• Emergency Special Permit to Williams Gas Pipeline for Hurricane Relief

APPLY FOR HAZMAT SPECIAL PERMITS

If you have questions about transporting hazmat in commerce, contact the Hazmat Information Center at 1-800-467-4922. The information center is open for direct calls from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET; however, you may leave a message at any time, or you may email your question to phmsa.hm-infocenter@dot.gov. Messages are returned within 24 hours. After working hours contact PHMSA through your Emergency Relief Team and the DOT Crisis Management Center.

To Apply for a Special Permit, with emergency processing, related to the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce, applicants must comply with 49 CFR 107.117 [eCFR] and provide a statement of supporting facts and reasons. An emergency Special Permit requires the same information as a new Special Permit. The checklist may be found HERE.

If you need immediate relief after working hours contact PHMSA through your Emergency Relief Team and the Crisis Management Center. In order to achieve the shortest response to your request be sure to have the information in the After Hours Request Form on hand.

To Apply for a New Special Permit, with normal processing related to the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce, applicants must comply with 49 CFR 107.105 [eCFR] and provide a statement of supporting facts and reasons. You may apply for a new Special Permit or to modify an existing Special Permit at our Online Application. All Special Permit applications may be submitted by email to specialpermits@dot.gov as well.

If you seek to apply for a new special permit or modify a previously-submitted application, please review the new special permit checklist for accuracy and completeness.
Checklist

To Apply for Party Status on a Special Permit

Any person eligible to apply for a special permit may apply to be a party to an application or an existing special permit, other than a manufacturing special permit. Applications for Party Status to an active Special Permit or Renewal of a current Special Permit may be made through the PHMSA Portal. First time users in the PHMSA Portal must create an account and register as a "hazmat" user first to submit an application. All Special Permit applications may be submitted by email to specialpermits@dot.gov as well.

If you seek to apply for party status to a previously-submitted application or exiting special permit, please review the party status special permit checklist for accuracy and completeness.
Checklist
Sample Submission

To Renew a Special Permit

If you need to renew an existing special permit, please review the renewal special permit checklist first.
Checklist
Sample Submission

APPLY FOR A PIPELINE SPECIAL PERMIT

Please submit all required information as listed below:

1. Name of requestor and indication of whether requestor is an owner or operator;
   
   
2. Specific regulations from which the owner or operator seeks relief;
   
   
3. An explanation of the actual or impending emergency;
   
   
4. Specific reasons the special permit is necessary (e.g., lack of accessibility, damaged equipment, insufficient manpower);
   
   
5. A description of the pipeline for which special permit is sought, including:
   
   1. The mileage of pipeline to be covered and the Counties and States in which it is located,
      
      
   2. Whether the pipeline is interstate or intrastate,*
      
      
   3. The year the pipeline was installed,
      
      
   4. All pipeline facilities such as pump and compressor stations that this permit will affect, and
      
      
   5. The material, thickness, diameter and operating pressure of the pipeline;
      
      
6. A statement indicating whether and how operating the pipeline pursuant to an emergency special permit is in the public interest (e.g., continuity of service, service restoration);
   
   
7. Proposed alternatives to compliance with the regulation (e.g., additional inspections and tests, shortened reassessment intervals);
   
   
8. Measures to be taken after the emergency situation or permit expires-whichever comes first--to confirm long-term operational reliability of the facility; and
   
   
9. A certification that operation of the owner or operator's pipeline under the requested emergency special permit would not be inconsistent with pipeline safety.
   
   

*This request process applies to those pipelines and facilities that PHMSA regulates. For those intrastate pipelines and facilities subject to State regulation, emergency special permits may be granted in accordance with applicable State law. PHMSA will work with the State in expediting the processing of a request.

You may request an emergency special permit by one of the following methods:

1. Fax your request to the Crisis Management Center at (202) 366-3768
   
   
2. Email your request
   
   
3. Mail your request through an express mail/overnight courier to:
   
   
   Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety
   Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
   1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., East Building
   Washington, D.C. 20590
   
   

CONTACT

If you have questions about hazmat special permits, please contact the Office of Hazardous Materials Approvals and Permits division by telephone (202) 366-4535 or email at specialpermits@dot.gov. You may also contact the Hazmat Information Center at 1-800-467-4922. The information center is open for direct calls from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET; however, you may leave a message at any time, or you may email your question to phmsa.hm-infocenter@dot.gov. Messages are returned within 24 hours.

For additional information about emergency special permits, please contact PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety at (202) 366-4595 or call the emergency line at (202) 281-9438.

PIPELINE OPERATORS: CONTACT LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY ACCESS POINT (PSAP) DURING PIPELINE EMEGENCIES

When there are signs of a facility emergency, operators of gas, hazardous liquid, and liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities should immediately and directly notify the Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that serves the communities and jurisdictions in which those pipelines are located. The full advisory bulletin is available here. For more information, please contact John Gale by phone at (202) 366-0434 or by email at john.gale@dot.gov.

CLEAN UP EFFORTS: Know What's Below; Call 811 Before You Dig
As you work to clean up and restore your homes and businesses, please remember to Call 811 BEFORE You Dig. It's free and it's easy. There may be utility lines or pipelines buried underground; accidentally hitting one of them could result in power loss or even a natural gas explosion. 

When you call 811, you will be connected with utility companies who will send crews to mark the location of the lines. Typically, the lines can be marked 48 hours after placing a call to 811; however, it may take longer for crews to respond due to the recovery activities taking place. Please be patient and practice safe digging. We want you and your family to be safe as you rebuild.