PHMSA - News & Updates

News & Updates

Please visit the PHMSA News Archives to obtain announcements issued in prior months and years.

January 2016

PHMSA Issues Final Rulemaking to Adopt Certain Hazardous Materials Special Permits into Regulations

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act

Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Leak

December 2015

Safety Alert - Transportation of Hoverboards (Lithium Battery Powered Vehicles)

PHMSA Releases Safety Alert for Hoverboards

PHMSA Withdraws Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle Wetlines Rulemaking

New PHMSA Final Rule Improves the Safe Transportation of Bulk Explosives

October 2015

DOT Issues New Flight Safety Rule for E-Cigarettes

September 2015

PHMSA Doubles Awards to Universities for Pipeline Safety Research Program Offers Research Funding for University-Affiliated Projects

DOT Announces $5.9 Million in First Responder Grants to Help Protect Communities From Flammable Liquids by Rail Incidents

PHMSA Final Rule Streamlines and Clarifies HazMat Special Permits and Approvals Application Process

DOT Announces $19.9 Million in First Responder Grants to Help Protect Communities

PHMSA Announces over $54 Million in Pipeline Safety Grants to Support State Pipeline Safety Programs

August 2015

Hazardous Materials: Notification of Anticipated Delay in Administrative Appeal Decisions

July 2015

PHMSA NPRM: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences

PHMSA Issues Corrective Action Order to Plains Pipeline, LP Following Pocahontas Station Pipeline Facility Failure

PHMSA Issues Pipeline Damage Prevention Programs Final Rule

Department of Energy Posts Crude Oil Characteristics Research Plan

PHMSA Proposes to Expand the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

PHMSA Releases Operator Qualification, Cost Recovery and Accident Notification Regulatory Proposal

May 2015

PHMSA Notice regarding Emergency Response Notifications for Shipments of Petroleum Crude Oil by Rail

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Corrective Action Order to Plains Pipeline, LP

Report to Congress: Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Gathering Lines - May 2015

PHMSA statement regarding the crude oil pipeline release in Santa Barbara County, California

DOT Announces Final Rule to Strengthen Safe Transportation of Flammable Liquids by Rail

April 2015

PHMSA Offering $2 Million in University Research Grants for Pipeline Safety Solutions

PHMSA Clarifies Consumer Fireworks Policy

February 2015

PHMSA Extends Compliance Date for Lithium Battery Hazardous Materials Rule

PHMSA Proposes Rulemaking to Adopt Certain Hazardous Materials Special Permits into Regulations

January 2015

PHMSA Statement on Bridger Pipeline Release Near Glendive, MT

Fact Sheet: FY 2015 Budget - Enacted Levels

October 2014

U.S. Department of Transportation Approves Special Permit for the Safe Transport of Ebola Infected Medical Waste for Disposal

Hazmat Transportation Biennial Report 2011-2012

August 2014

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $20.2 Million in Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grants to Help Communities Stay Safe

July 2014

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues New Standards to Improve Safety of Lithium Battery Transportation

PHMSA Harmonizes HM Regs with IAEA / PHMSA Seeks Comment on Explosives Trucks

PHMSA Issues a Safety Advisory Notifying the Public of Unsafe Fire Extinguishers

May 2014

U.S. DOT Takes New Emergency Actions as Part of Comprehensive Strategy to Keep Crude Oil Shipments Safe

April 2014

PHMSA's Proposed Pipeline Penalties Hit All-Time High; Serious Pipeline Incident Count Hits All-Time Low

March 2014

PHMSA Seeking Pipeline Research Projects from Colleges and Universities

February 2014

Free Hazmat Transportation Workshops in the U.S. Virgin Islands

PHMSA’s Ongoing Bakken Investigation Shows Crude Oil Lacking Proper Testing, Classification

January 2014

Operation Safe Delivery: Enhancing the Safe Transport of Flammable Liquids

PHMSA Closes 13 NTSB Recommendations in FY 2013

Operation Classification

2014 ERG, HazMat Training Schedule Now Available

Safety Alert: Preliminary Guidance from Operation Classification

December 2013

One Year Later: Update on Enbridge Lakehead System Improvements

November 2013

U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Public Input On Rail Car Safety Proposals

October 2013

PHMSA Issues Safety Order to Tesoro Pipeline Company

PHMSA Awards $940,000 to 21 Local Pipeline Safety Groups

Tesoro Pipeline - North Dakota Updates

September 2013

PHMSA Announces over $46 Million in Pipeline Safety Grants to Support State Pipeline Safety Programs

PHMSA Awards $800,000 to Universities for Pipeline Safety

DOT Awards Over $1.5 Million in Grants to States to Support Underground Pipeline Protection

U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Public Input On Rail Car Safety Proposals

August 2013

PHMSA Progress Letter to NTSB in Addressing Open Recommendations

EPA Releases Chemical Advisory on Safe Handling and Transport of Ammonium Nitrate

U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $20 Million in Hazardous Materials Grants to Help Keep Communities Safe

Federal Railroad Administration Issues Emergency Order to Prevent Unintended Hazardous Materials Train Movement

July 2013

New Procedures Speed Approval of Fireworks Transport While Maintaining High Safety Standards

June 2013

U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $1 Million in Grants to State One Call Centers

May 2013

Pipeline Safety Act of 2011 - Track PHMSA's Progress

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration Announces $4.7 Million in Hazmat Grants to Help First Responders Protect Communities Nationwide

Applications for Technical Assistance Grants Reopened; Due May 17

March 2013

U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes $1.7 Million in Civil Penalties for ExxonMobil for Yellowstone River Pipeline Failure

5 Headaches You'll Avoid by Calling 811 Before You Dig

April 8: Prep Meeting for ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel's Spring Working Group

Safety Advisory: High Pressure Cylinders Improperly-Marked

PHMSA releases the new DOT Chart 15: Markings, Labeling, and Placarding Guide

Applications Now Open for Technical Assistance Grants

January 2013

	Advisory Bulletin: Pipeline Accident and Incident Notification Time Limit
	January 30

	Notice: Deadline Extension for CY2012 Gas Transmission and Gathering Annual Reports
	January 28

	PHMSA Administrator Testifies at Rockefeller Field Hearing
	January 28

	PIPA Land Planning in North Dakota & Virginia - Recorded Webinars Available
	January 25

	PHMSA Posts Record Enforcement Numbers in 2012
	January 24

	DOT Launches Free App Featuring Emergency Response Guidebook
	January 18

	January 15th, Webinar on Land Planning near North Dakota
	January 9

	Pipeline Data Meeting - Webcast & Presentations Available
	January 7

Pipeline Safety Act: One Year Later

December 2012

	PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Harmonization with International Standards; Seeks Further Input on Domestic Transport of Lithium Batteries
	December 31

	PHMSA Issues Final Order to Texas Gas Transmission, LLC
	December 21

	PHMSA Issues Final Order to NiSource Subsidiary
	December 21

	PHMSA Issues Final Order to Texas Eastern Transmission, LP
	December 21

	Advisory Bulletin: MAOP Reporting Requirements
	December 21

	PHMSA Issues Corrective Action Order to Columbia Gas
	December 20

	West Virginia Updates
	December 14

	Safety Alert: Unauthorized Compressed Gas Cylinders
	March 13

	Pipeline Safety Experts to Discuss Tougher Safety Regulations
	December 6

	Advisory Bulletin: Using Meaningful Metrics in Conducting Pipeline Integrity Management Program Evaluations
	December 5

November 2012

	Meeting Notice: PHMSA will hold Meetings of the Liquid and Gas Pipeline Safety Advisory Committees
	Pipeline Safety: Meetings of the Pipeline Safety Advisory Committee

	PHMSA Alerting Shippers & Carriers to Dangers of Counterfeit Air Bags
	November 21

	The Cast & Wrought Iron Pipeline Inventory
	November 21

	PHMSA Issues Emergency Special Permit to KMLT for Hurricane Relief
	November 20

	Administrator Calls for Shared Responsibility & Efforts in Pipeline Safety
	November 8

	PHMSA Issues Emergency Special Permit to Commercial Motor Vehicles for Hurricane Assistance
	November 7

	PHMSA Issues Emergency Special Permit to Wal-Mart for Hurricane Relief
	November 5

Hurricane Sandy: Emergency Relief & Disaster Recovery Updates

	PHMSA Issues Emergency Special Permit to Williams Gas Pipeline for Hurricane Relief
	November 3

	PHMSA Consent Agreement and Order with Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC
	November 2

October 2012

	PHMSA Issues Final Order to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company
	October 26

	PHMSA Issues Final Order to El Paso Natural Gas Company for Bushland, TX Violation
	October 24

	Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders
	October 22

PHMSA Seeks Comments on Proposed Revisions to Fireworks Regulations

	Pipeline Safety Advisory Issued: Communication During Emergencies
	October 11

	USDOT Awards States and Communities $45 million in Pipeline Safety Grants
	October 11

	Secretary's blog: It's Fire Prevention Week; Have 2 Ways Out and Know What's Below Before You Dig
	October 9

August 2012

	Register - October 5 Webinar, Improving Pipeline Leak Detection
	August 28

	Register - September 20-21 Forum, Improving Oil & Gas Regulations with Performance-based Models
	August 27

	DOT Announces Over $1.5 Million in State Pipeline Safety Grants
	August 27

	PHMSA Moves to Implement Tougher Pipeline Safety Regulations
	August 17

	PHMSA, Public Safety Officials & Washington Gas Host First Responder Training to Remind the Public to Call 811 BEFORE Digging
	August 10

	PHMSA Issues Amended CAO to Enbridge
	August 2

	Final Order Issued to Sunoco Logistics Partners
	August 1

July 2012

	PHMSA CAO to Enbridge for July 27, 2012 Failure in Wisconsin on Line 14
	July 27

	"The Reg Map" simplifies the informal rulemaking process
	July 24

	U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Visits Columbus for Update on Pipeline Modernization Project in Ohio
	July 12

	PHMSA Statement on NTSB Enbridge 2010 Oil Spill Findings
	July 10

	PHMSA Seeks Public Input to Define Hazmat Return Policy
	July 5

	PHMSA Announces Enforcement Action Against Enbridge for 2010 Michigan Oil Spill
	July 2

June 2012

	DOT Issues Safety Alert on Transporting Fireworks and Updates Travel Safety Tips for the General Public
	June 28

	PHMSA Merges Rail Car Special Permits into Hazmat Regs
	June 25

PHMSA Reminds Public to Practice Fireworks Safety this Fourth of July

	PHMSA Administrator Issues Statement on June IG Report: More Pipeline Safety Resources Are Needed
	June 20

	July 13: Public Workshop, Implementing Incorporation by Reference Requirements of Section 24 of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2011
	June 15

	Research & Development Update: High Tech Solutions Near for Inspecting Unpiggable Natural Gas Pipelines
	June 14

	Advisory Bulletin: Clarification for Mechanical Fitting Failure Report Form
	June 11

	Notice: PHMSA seeks comment on special permit requests
	June 11

	June 27: Public Meeting, Implementing Distribution Integrity Management Programs (DIMP) for Gas Pipelines
	June 8

	PHMSA Seeks Comment on Proposal to Collect Information on Use of Excess Flow Valves
	June 4

	June 13: Public Meeting, International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
	June 4

May 2012

	Withdrawal of Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Combustible Liquids
	May 30

	Secretary Blogs: 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook an Important Tool for First Responders
	May 30

	DOT Releases New Emergency Response Guidebook
	May 30

	July 18-19: PHMSA to Host Government/ Industry Pipeline Research & Development Forum
	May 30

	Comment Period Extended for Pipeline Damage Prevention Programs Proposed Rule
	May 30

	HMSA Proposes Hazmat Regulations Updates to Relieve Burdens, Increase Clarity.
	May 25

	PHMSA Encourages Vets, Reservists to Apply for Pipeline Safety Jobs
	May 24

	Secretary Blogs: 811 One Call Grants Extend Pipeline Safety Progress
	May 17

	DOT Issues Grants to States for Pipeline Safety Call Centers
	May 16

	PHMSA Reminds Pipeline Operators to Preserve and Verify Records
	May 7

	View and download: New PSA, "Avoid a 'Grimm' Situation; Call 811 Before You Dig."
	May 1

	PHMSA Continues Aggressive Pipeline Safety Push with New PSA
	May 1

April 2012

	PHMSA Continues Push to Clarify & Update Hazmat Rules
	April 26

	Secretary Blogs: Pipeline Modernization Plan Means Safety and Jobs
	April 23

	Secretary LaHood Pledges Support to Expedite Pipeline Modernization Project
	April 20

	2011 Hazmat Penalty Action Report Now Available
	April 16

	Hazmat Harmonization Rule on Air Packaging Issued
	April 16

	PHMSA Seeks Comment on Transportation of Lithium Batteries
	April 11

	One Year Later: Our Progress in Pipeline Safety Since Call to Action
	April 4

	Administrator Blogs: It's National Safe Digging Month; Call 811 BEFORE you dig and stay informed.
	April 2

	PHMSA Recognizes Governors' Safe Digging Month Proclamations
	April 2

March 2012

	Pipeline Safety Rule Proposes Stronger Damage Prevention Programs, Increased Accountability for Violators
	March 30

	PHMSA Proposes Updating Hazmat Rules to Better Balance Safety Standards and Regulatory Requirements
	March 26

	December 2011 Pipeline Emergency Response Forum Summary Now Available
	March 15

February 2012

	PHMSA's 2013 Budget Request Focuses on Increased Safety & Accountability
	February 13

	PHMSA Announces Availability of $1 Million in Pipeline Safety Grants to Help Keep Communities Safe
	February 10

	DOT's Pipeline Safety Agency Closes Record Number of Enforcement Orders for Three Consecutive Years
	February 8

January 2012

	President Obama signs the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011
	January 3

November 2011

	November 23
	U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes to Expand the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines

	November 18
	U.S. Department of Transportation Issues First Ever Order to Stop Companies from Transporting Cylinders Filled With Experimental Gas

October 2011

	October 17
	Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation Sign Agreements to Join CBP Import Safety Center

August 2011

	August 24
	U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Comment on Possible New Gas Pipeline Safety Measures

July 2011

	July 5
	U.S. Department of Transportation Directs ExxonMobil Pipeline Company to Make Pipeline Safety Improvements to Silvertip Pipeline

June 2011

	June 24
	U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Training Seminars for Hazmat Workers

	June 15
	U.S. Department of Transportation Takes Steps to Improve Pipeline Control Room Management

May 2011

	May 11
	U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes Fine for New Jersey Pipeline Accident

	May 3
	BP Exploration Alaska to Pay $25 Million Penalty for Alaskan North Slope Oil Spill

April 2011

	April 18
	U.S. Department of Transportation Launches Pipeline Safety Awareness Website

	April 14
	U.S. Department of Transportation Gives Over $2 Million to Help States Improve Pipeline Safety and Prevent Damage

	April 11
	U.S. Department of Transportation Grants Over $1 Million to Improve State Pipeline Safety Programs

	April 4
	U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Pipeline Safety Action Plan: U.S. DOT Initiates National Effort to Prevent Hazardous Pipeline Incidents

March 2011

	March 31
	U.S. Department of Transportation Kicks Off National Safe Digging Month 2011

	March 25
	News Digest

	March 10
	U.S. DOT Proposes to Improve Safety for Truckers and Workers Around Hazardous Material Loading and Unloading Operations

	March 1
	U.S. DOT Announces New Rule To Make Shipping of Hazardous Materials Safer

February 2011

	February 1
	USDOT Converts Widely Used HazMat Transportation Permits into Federal Regulations

January 2011

	January 7
	DOT Announces Application Period for Grants to Promote Community Involvement in Pipeline Safety Efforts