In April 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) published a long-anticipated rulemaking proposal for gas gathering and transmission lines. More than four years in the making, the proposed rules would significantly expand PHMSA’s jurisdiction over gas gathering lines and add several new requirements to the agency’s regulations for gas transmission lines. Many of these proposals respond to congressional mandates and recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board. In June 2016, President Obama also signed the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016, or PIPES Act, which reauthorizes PHMSA’s pipeline safety program through 2019. The PIPES Act contains several noteworthy provisions, including a new rulemaking mandate for underground gas storage facilities and a provision authorizing PHMSA to issue industry-wide emergency orders if an unsafe condition or practice presents an imminent hazard to health, property, or the environment. Finally, PHMSA is working to finalize a number of other rulemaking proposals and initiatives before the Obama Administration draws to a close in January 2017.

In order to better understand the implications of the proposed rulemakings and new provisions in the PIPES Act, the seminar given by the Marcellus Shale Coalition in conjunction with its Midstream and Pipeline Committee will feature a series of presentations on current issues in pipeline regulation and operations, as well as a roundtable discussion led by a panel of industry experts and government officials. These presentations will target the impacts that these proposed rulemakings will have on the pipeline and midstream sector developments in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.

PHMSA Rulemaking and Legislative Update

For more information click here.

Keith Coyle

James Curry

Brianne Kurdock