Last Updated: October 2026

Welcome to Regulatory Watch! In this monthly update, we’ll keep you informed on proposed rule comment periods, effective dates, and upcoming deadlines for various compliance requirements.

Proposed Rule Stage

2137-AF37Proposed Rule Stage

Oil Spill Response Plans, Accident Notifications, Inspections and Investigations and other Miscellaneous Pipeline Safety Changes

Regulatory Agenda2137-AF37
Federal Register DocumentPHMSA-2018-0047
2137-AF52Proposed Rule Stage

Pipeline Operational Status

Regulatory Agenda2137-AF52
Federal Register DocumentNA
2137-AF60Proposed Rule Stage

Safety of Carbon Dioxide and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

Regulatory Agenda2137-AF60
Federal Register DocumentNA

Final Rule Stage

2137-AF53Final Rule Stage

Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines and Other Pipeline Safety Initiatives

Regulatory Agenda2137-AF53
Federal Register DocumentPHMSA-2021-0046

Sprint I & II Update

To further the Administration’s deregulatory policies, PHMSA has published in today’s Federal Register twenty-eight (28) separate rulemaking actions affecting the pipeline safety regulations (PSR; Parts 190-199). Click here to access the documents.

Rulemaking Description Stage Code
Pipeline Safety: Rationalize Special Permit Conditions PHMSA proposes to amend its special permit procedures to ensure permit conditions are directly tied to the specific pipeline safety regulations being waived. NPRM 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Rationalize Calculation of Regulatory Filing and Compliance Deadlines PHMSA will clarify that regulatory filing and compliance deadlines falling on weekends or Federal holidays automatically move to the next business day. DFR 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Adjust Annual Report Filing Timelines PHMSA will amend annual reporting requirements to move the gas pipeline annual report submission deadline from March to June. DFR 49 CFR Part 191
Pipeline Safety: Property Damage Definition for Incident Reporting PHMSA will clarify incident reporting property damage calculations for gas pipelines and update hazardous liquid accident reporting thresholds using inflation-adjusted criteria. DFR 49 CFR Parts 191 & 195
Pipeline Safety: Exception for In-Plant Piping Systems PHMSA proposes to clarify that in-plant piping systems are not subject to federal pipeline safety regulations. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Codify Enforcement Discretion on Incidental Gathering Lines PHMSA proposes to codify enforcement discretion clarifying that restrictions on the historical incidental gathering line exemption apply only to newly constructed lines. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Eliminate Burdensome Coating Assessment Deadlines PHMSA proposes to replace prescriptive deadlines for coating damage assessments and remediation with a requirement that activities be completed before the pipeline is placed in service. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Atmospheric Corrosion Reassessment for Pipeline Replacements PHMSA proposes to remove the 3-year reassessment interval following replacement of atmospheric corrosion defects and allow use of the standard 5-year reassessment interval. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Harmonize Class Change Pressure Test Requirements PHMSA proposes to reduce the minimum pressure test duration following certain class location changes from 8 hours to 4 hours, aligning with existing Subpart J requirements. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Clarify MAOP Reconfirmation Testing Records PHMSA will issue a technical correction clarifying that operators may use pre-1970s pressure test records when reconfirming MAOP under §192.624. Final Rule 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Remote Sensing Technologies for ROW Patrols PHMSA will explicitly allow right-of-way patrols to be conducted using unmanned aircraft systems, satellites, and other remote sensing technologies. DFR 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195
Pipeline Safety: Technical Standards Updates and Amendments PHMSA will update incorporated standards and make technical amendments in response to an industry petition for reconsideration. Final Rule 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety Program: Update of Standards Incorporated by Reference PHMSA issued multiple direct final rules updating incorporated industry consensus standards used throughout Parts 192 and 195, replacing outdated editions with current versions. Multiple DFRs 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195

The following is a summary of the 40 rulemakings that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. If any adverse comment is received to a DFR PHMSA must rescind the rule and repropose. Click here to access the documents.

Rulemaking Description Stage Code
Pipeline Safety and Hazardous Materials Safety: Amendments to PHMSA Procedural Regulations PHMSA proposed miscellaneous amendments to procedural regulations governing informal rulemaking for both pipeline safety and hazardous materials programs. NPRM 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Interpretation Request Procedures PHMSA amended interpretation procedures to require publication of interpretation requests on its website and provide an opportunity for public comment. Final Rule 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Declaratory Order Procedures PHMSA established formal procedures for issuing declaratory orders through a new section in Part 190. Final Rule 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Consent Orders PHMSA clarified that consent agreements may be used to resolve enforcement actions, including cases involving civil penalties. Final Rule 49 CFR Part 190
Pipeline Safety: Adjustment to OPID Notifications for Construction PHMSA proposed adjusting the inflation-based threshold that triggers OPID notifications for certain construction and facility modification activities. NPRM 49 CFR Part 191
Pipeline Safety: Eliminating Limitations on Welders and Welding Operators PHMSA proposed allowing welders qualified through non-destructive testing methods to perform compressor station welding activities currently subject to additional restrictions. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Material Properties Verification During MAOP Reconfirmation PHMSA proposed clarifying that material testing at pressure test manifold sites is not required when traceable, verifiable, and complete material records already exist. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Electronic Retention of Part 194 Response Plans PHMSA amended regulations to allow operators to maintain electronic copies of response plans instead of paper copies. DFR 49 CFR Part 194
Pipeline Safety: Remote Monitoring of Rectifiers PHMSA proposed allowing remote monitoring technologies for rectifiers used in external corrosion control programs. NPRM 49 CFR Part 195
Pipeline Safety: Clarifying Hazardous Liquid High-Consequence Area Designations PHMSA amended HCA guidance to clarify spill considerations in agricultural fields and reorganize threat identification guidance. DFR 49 CFR Part 195
Pipeline Safety: Timeframe to Make Rupture-Mitigation Valves Operational PHMSA proposed extending the deadline for placing rupture-mitigation valves into operation from 14 days to 90 days after a pipeline enters service. NPRM 49 CFR Part 192
Pipeline Safety: Hazardous Liquid Valve Maintenance Schedule PHMSA proposed allowing operators to implement risk-based valve maintenance schedules, subject to a maximum inspection interval of one year. NPRM 49 CFR Part 195
Pipeline Safety: Property Damage Definition for Incident Reporting PHMSA proposes revising property damage thresholds for reportable gas and hazardous liquid pipeline incidents and clarifying applicability to telephonic notifications. NPRM 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195
Pipeline Safety: Remote Sensing Technologies for ROW Patrols PHMSA proposes clarifying that unmanned aerial systems, satellites, and other remote-sensing technologies may be used to satisfy right-of-way patrol requirements. NPRM 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195
Pipeline Safety: Adjust Annual Report and NPMS Filing Timelines PHMSA proposes extending annual report and NPMS submission deadlines for gas pipeline and storage operators to June 15 each year. NPRM 49 CFR Part 191
Pipeline Safety: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications PHMSA issued multiple final rules correcting editorial errors, updating references, removing obsolete submission methods, and improving regulatory clarity. Final Rules Various
Pipeline Safety: Update of Standards Incorporated by Reference PHMSA issued multiple direct final rules updating incorporated industry consensus standards, including NFPA, ASTM, MSS, NACE, and ASME standards. Multiple DFRs 49 CFR Parts 192 & 195

Have questions about an upcoming deadline? Please reach out to Jessica Foley for assistance!

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