PHMSA Seeks to Streamline Pipeline Safety Regulations
A Step Toward Energy Independence?
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation, has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit public feedback on potential amendments to the Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR, 49 CFR parts 190–199). Published on June 4, 2025, in the Federal Register (90 FR 23660), this initiative aims to reduce regulatory burdens on the energy sector while maintaining safety standards, aligning with broader federal directives to enhance American energy production and government efficiency.
Balancing Safety and Economic Growth
PHMSA oversees the safety of over 3.3 million miles of pipelines transporting natural gas, crude oil, refined petroleum products, carbon dioxide, and other hazardous materials, as well as nearly 400 underground natural gas storage facilities and 177 liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. These pipelines and facilities are critical to America’s energy supply chain, delivering affordable energy to consumers, industries, and global partners. However, the compliance costs associated with the PSR—covering design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and reporting—impact over 3,000 operators, with costs ultimately passed down to consumers.
The ANPRM responds to Executive Orders issued by President Trump, including E.O. 14154 (“Unleashing American Energy”), E.O. 14156 (“Declaring a National Energy Emergency”), and E.O. 14192 (“Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”). These orders urge federal agencies to review regulations that may hinder domestic energy development or impose excessive compliance burdens. Additionally, the Department of Transportation’s 10-year regulatory review cycle and the Regulatory Flexibility Act’s requirements for assessing impacts on small entities underscore the need for periodic evaluations to ensure regulations remain effective and efficient.
Objectives of the ANPRM
PHMSA’s ANPRM seeks stakeholder input on two primary goals:
Identifying and Amending Burdensome Regulations: PHMSA is looking for specific PSR provisions, along with related guidance or interpretations, that impose undue burdens on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources or that reflect government inefficiency by offering minimal safety benefits relative to compliance costs. Stakeholders are asked to pinpoint affected entities (e.g., gas, hazardous liquid, or carbon dioxide pipeline operators), quantify compliance costs, and propose amendments, including potential rescissions, with supporting technical, safety, and economic rationale.
Institutionalizing Periodic Reviews: PHMSA is considering whether to mandate periodic regulatory reviews (e.g., every 3 or 5 years) within the PSR to ensure ongoing relevance and efficiency. The agency seeks input on appropriate intervals, regulatory language, and methods for stakeholder engagement in such reviews.
Key Questions for Stakeholders
The ANPRM poses a series of questions to guide public comments, organized into two categories:
Procedural Regulations and Actions
Should PHMSA codify mandatory periodic reviews in the PSR, and if so, what intervals and stakeholder engagement processes are appropriate?
Are there opportunities to reduce burdens through changes in PHMSA’s oversight of state authorities or coordination with other federal agencies?
How do PSR requirements affect small businesses, and are there alternative approaches to minimize impacts while maintaining safety?
Do special permits, National Environmental Policy Act compliance, user fees, or cost recovery charges create undue burdens? If so, what changes are needed?
Should existing interpretations, approvals, or special permits be incorporated into the PSR to streamline compliance?
Pipeline Safety Regulations
Which PSR provisions impose excessive burdens or limit technological innovation, and what amendments could address these issues?
Do specific terms, reporting requirements, or regulations for gathering lines create unnecessary challenges?
Are there outdated material, design, testing, construction, corrosion control, operating, maintenance, personnel qualification, training, or integrity management requirements that need revision?
Do LNG facility siting or drug and alcohol testing requirements impose undue burdens?
Can incorporating updated industry standards or practices into the PSR enhance efficiency without compromising safety?
PHMSA emphasizes the importance of detailed data on compliance costs, safety benefits, and environmental impacts, including per-unit, aggregate, and programmatic estimates. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide methodologies, data sources, and baselines (e.g., industry standards or operator practices) to support their recommendations.
Implications for the Energy Sector
The ANPRM signals a proactive effort to align pipeline safety regulations with the administration’s goal of bolstering domestic energy production. By targeting regulations that may disproportionately burden operators… particularly small businesses… or stifle innovation, PHMSA aims to reduce costs that ripple through the energy supply chain to consumers. However, the challenge lies in balancing deregulation with the agency’s core mission of ensuring safe and reliable energy transportation. Past regulatory reviews and judicial critiques, such as those in GPA Midstream Ass’n v. U.S. Dep’t of Transp. (2023) and INGAA v. PHMSA (2024), have highlighted deficiencies in cost-benefit analyses for some PSR provisions, underscoring the need for rigorous evaluations.
For stakeholders, this ANPRM presents an opportunity to shape the regulatory landscape. Operators, industry groups, and small businesses can advocate for changes to streamline compliance, potentially lowering operational costs. Conversely, safety advocates and environmental groups may emphasize the need to retain robust standards to prevent accidents and environmental harm, especially given the critical role pipelines play in energy infrastructure.
How to Participate
Comments are due by August 4, 2025, though PHMSA will consider late submissions as practicable. Stakeholders can submit feedback via:
Online: https://www.regulations.gov (Docket Number PHMSA-2025-0050).
Mail or Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Submissions containing confidential business information must be clearly marked and accompanied by a redacted copy, with an explanation of why the information is confidential. PHMSA may also hold a public meeting to discuss the feedback received.
Looking Ahead
This ANPRM marks a significant step toward modernizing pipeline safety regulations to support America’s energy goals. By engaging stakeholders, PHMSA aims to craft regulations that are both effective and efficient, fostering innovation and economic growth while safeguarding public safety. The outcome of this review could reshape the regulatory framework for pipelines, influencing energy costs, infrastructure development, and America’s position in global energy markets.
For more details, visit the Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/04/2025-10090/pipeline-safety-mandatory-regulatory-reviews-to-unleash-american-energy-and-improve-government. To stay informed, follow updates on regulations.gov or contact Alyssa Imam, Transportation Specialist, at 202-738-3850 or alyssa.imam@dot.gov.