Notice2025-16840
Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit for EcoEléctrica, L.P.
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a special permit application filed by EcoEl[eacute]ctrica, L.P. (EcoEl[eacute]ctrica). The application asks PHMSA to waive certain requirements in Federal pipeline safety regulations that apply to liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. PHMSA will review the comments received in deciding whether to grant or deny the application.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 168 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 168 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42672-42673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16840]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2023-0114]
Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit for
EcoEl[eacute]ctrica, L.P.
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA);
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on
a special permit application filed by EcoEl[eacute]ctrica, L.P.
(EcoEl[eacute]ctrica). The application asks PHMSA to waive certain
requirements in Federal pipeline safety regulations that apply to
liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. PHMSA will review the comments
received in deciding whether to grant or deny the application.
DATES: Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by
October 3, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for this special
permit request and may be submitted in the following ways:
<bullet> E-Gov Website: This site allows the public to enter
comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency.
<bullet> Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
[[Page 42673]]
Instructions: Identify the docket number for the special permit
request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. If you
submit comments by mail, please submit two copies. To receive
confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please include a
self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Note: A privacy statement is published on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Comments, including any personal information
provided, are posted without changes or edits to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and treated as private by its
owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S. Code Sec.
552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive
to this notice contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to this notice, it is important that you
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) Sec. 190.343, you may ask PHMSA to give
confidential treatment to information you give to the Agency by taking
the following steps: (1) mark each page of the original document
submission containing CBI as ``Confidential;'' (2) send PHMSA a second
copy of the original document with the CBI deleted along with the
original document; and (3) explain why the information you are
submitting is CBI. Unless you are notified otherwise, PHMSA will treat
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will
not be placed in the public docket of this notice. Submissions
containing CBI should be sent to Lee Cooper, DOT, PHMSA-PHP-80, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Any commentary PHMSA
receives that is not designated specifically as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this matter.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
<bullet> General: Mr. Lee Cooper by phone at 202-913-3171 or by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d313838733e32322d382f1d393229733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2ded7d79cd1ddddc2d7c0f2d6ddc69cd5ddc4">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Technical: Ms. Katherine Roth by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e883899c808d9a81868dc69a879c80a88c879cc68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c373d2834392e353239722e3328341c383328723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 8, 2023, EcoEl[eacute]ctrica
applied for a special permit asking PHMSA to waive the requirements in
49 CFR 193.2167 and 193.2173, which prohibit the use of covered
impoundment systems and require the removal of water from impoundment
areas at LNG facilities, respectively.\1\ If granted, the waiver would
allow EcoEl[eacute]ctrica to use pipe-in-pipe (PIP) technology as part
of the impounding system for an LNG terminal in Pe[ntilde]uelas, Puerto
Rico. EcoEl[eacute]ctrica has been operating the LNG terminal since
June 2000.
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\1\ EcoEl[eacute]ctrica submitted supplemental information to
PHMSA on May 31 and October 31, 2024 and January 2 and 27, 2025.
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On February 13, 2022, EcoEl[eacute]ctrica placed a project into
service that supplies LNG from the terminal to a nearby truck loading
facility owned by a third party. EcoEl[eacute]ctrica used PIP
technology for the following piping segments in the project:
1. Approximately 3,600 feet of LNG transfer piping using PIP
technology with a six-inch diameter outer pipe and a four-inch diameter
inner pipe.
2. Approximately 3,600 feet of LNG recirculation piping using PIP
technology with a four-inch diameter outer pipe and a 1.5-inch diameter
inner pipe.
PHMSA's regulations for LNG facilities in 49 CFR part 193 do not
currently authorize the use of PIP technology. PIP technology consists
of two layers of pipe--an inner pipe that handles LNG and an outer pipe
that serves as the impoundment system. Section 193.2167 prohibits the
use of covered impoundment systems due to the potential for confined
vapor explosions resulting from the flammable mixture of released
methane vapors and oxygen from the atmosphere. Section 193.2173
requires that impoundment areas be constructed such that all areas
drain completely to prevent water collection.
On September 8, 2023, EcoEl[eacute]ctrica filed a special permit
asking PHMSA to waive the requirements in 49 CFR 193.2167 and 193.2173
to authorize the use of PIP technology for spill containment for the
LNG transfer and recirculation piping described above. A copy of that
application, along with the proposed special permit and draft
environmental assessment, is available for review and public comments
in Docket No. PHMSA-2023-0114.
PHMSA invites interested persons to review and submit comments in
the docket on the special permit request and accompanying documents.
Please submit comments on potential safety, environmental, and other
relevant considerations implicated by the special permit request.
Comments may include relevant data. PHMSA will review all comments
received on or before the closing date in deciding whether to grant or
deny the application.
Issued in Washington, DC on August 28, 2025, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Linda Daugherty,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2025-16840 Filed 9-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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