Compliance Regulations and Guidance Affecting your Industry

This direct final rule incorporates by reference the most recent editions of API Specification 5L ‘‘Specification for Line Pipe’’ and API 1104 ‘‘Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities.’’ The purpose of this update is to enable pipeline operators to utilize current technology, materials, and practices to help maintain a high level of safety relative to their pipeline operations. PHMSA is not eliminating the use of the current referenced standards but simply allowing the additional use of these new standards. PHMSA may in the future propose to eliminate the incorporation of the existing referenced standards

Effective Date: This rule is effective April 14, 2009

This final rule adopts, with minor modifications, an interim final rule issued by PHMSA on March 28, 2008, conforming PHMSA’s administrative procedures with the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 by establishing the procedures PHMSA will follow for issuing safety orders and handling requests for special permits, including emergency special permits. The rule also notifies operators about electronic docket information availability; updates addresses for filing reports, telephone numbers, and routing symbols; and clarifies the time period for processing requests for written interpretations of the regulations. This final rule makes minor amendments and technical corrections to the regulatory text in response to written public comments received after issuance of the interim final rule

Effective Date: This rule is effective February 17, 2009.

This final rule amends the design factor and design pressure limits for natural gas pipelines made from new Polyamide–11 (PA–11) thermoplastic pipe. Together, these two changes in the regulations allow pipeline operators to operate certain pipelines constructed of new PA–11 pipe at higher operating pressures than is currently allowed for other plastic pipe materials.

Effective Date: This rule is effective January 23, 2009

PHMSA is amending the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher operating stress levels. The result is an increase of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) over that currently allowed in the regulations. Improvements in pipeline technology assessment methodology, maintenance practices, and management processes over the past twenty-five years have significantly reduced the risk of failure in pipelines and necessitate updating the standards that govern the MAOP. This rule will generate significant public benefits by reducing the number and consequences of potential incidents and boosting the potential capacity and efficiency of pipeline infrastructure, while promoting rigorous life-cycle maintenance and investment in improved pipe technology.

Effective Date: This rule is effective  November 17, 2008

This final rule requires operators to use design and construction features in new and replaced gas transmission pipelines to reduce the risk of internal corrosion. The design and construction features required by this rule will reduce the risk of internal corrosion and related pipeline failures by reducing the potential for accumulation of liquids and facilitating operation and maintenance practices that address internal corrosion.

Effective Date: This rule is effective  May 23, 2007

PHMSA is amending a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2006, which updated the pipeline safety regulations to incorporate by reference all or parts of new editions of voluntary consensus technical standards to enable pipeline operators to utilize current technology, materials, and practices

Effective Date:This rule is effective  March 5, 2007

Under current regulations governing integrity management of gas transmission lines, if an operator uses direct assessment to evaluate corrosion risks, it must carry out the direct assessment according to PHMSA standards. In response to a statutory directive, this Final Rule prescribes similar standards operators must meet when they use direct assessment on certain other onshore gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. PHMSA believes broader application of direct assessment standards will enhance public confidence in the use of direct assessment to assure pipeline safety

 Effective Date:This rule is effective November 25, 2005

This document contains corrections to final regulations (TD 9391) that were published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 (73 FR 19350) providing rules under section 937(b) of the Internal Revenue Code for determining whether income is derived from sources within a U.S. possession or territory specified in section 937(a)(1) (generally referred to in this preamble as a ‘‘territory’’) and whether income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within a territory.

Effective Date:This rule is effective May 14, 2008.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is revising the existing standard for the quantity and location of firefighting equipment in underground coal mines to assure that it is readily available to quickly extinguish a fire. In lieu of the existing requirements for rock dust and other firefighting equipment, this final rule allows the use of portable fire extinguishers in working sections of underground anthracite coal mines that have no electrical equipment at the working section and produce less than 300 tons of coal per shift. The rule also requires an additional fire extinguisher in lieu of rock dust at temporary electrical installations in all underground coal mines

Effective Date:This rule is effective October 15, 2009.