Hazardous liquids proposal enters public comment phase

Following last week's release of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposed regulations for hazardous liquids, PHMSA summed up important points for consumers in its continuing effort to maintain public safety and awareness.

The proposed regulations aim to reinforce repair standards; collect data on hazardous liquid collection as it pertains to the geological infrastructure; mandate regular evaluation of protections in place for key areas; increase the quality and frequency of assessments; require inspections at least once per decade; and fortify the framework of regulations for risk management.

With close to 200,000 miles of hazardous liquid pipelines zigzagging through the nation’s communities, landscapes and bodies of water, PHMSA seeks to strengthen operation, inspection and maintenance of hazardous liquid pipelines.

PHMSA continues to work toward its goal of zero accidents and no environmental damage as the nation deals with industry advances, aging infrastructure and growing population base.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be available for public comment until Jan. 8, 2016. Subsequent steps will involve receiving and reviewing public comments, consulting with technical pipeline safety advisory committees, and obtaining executive level clearance, among other actions.

PHMSA anticipates that the final rule will take effect one year after publication of the final rulemaking.