"PHMSA Issues Interim Final Rule on Emergency Orders"

"The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Monday issued an interim final rule that will allow it to issue emergency orders on oil and natural gas pipelines, satisfying a requirement from a comprehensive pipeline safety bill enacted last summer.

President Obama signed S 2276, also known as PIPES Act of 2016, into law on June 22. The new law grants the Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary new powers to issue emergency orders in the event a pipeline poses an imminent hazard to public health, safety or the environment.

'Pipeline incidents can have devastating impacts on local communities and the environment,' said DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. 'The new regulations carry out DOT's enhanced authority to compel industry to take immediate action to address problems that put people, property, or the environment at risk. We hope we never have to use it, but it is an important safety tool that will result in greater protection for the American public.'"

Charlie Passut reports for Natural Gas Intelligence October 5, 2016.