Notice2026-01369
Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit
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
January 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (AGT). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3302-3303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01369]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0013]
Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit
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 request for special permit received from Algonquin Gas Transmission,
LLC (AGT). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance
with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations.
At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the
comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant
or deny the special permit request.
DATES: Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by
February 25, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for this special
permit request and may be submitted in the following ways:
<bullet> E-Gov Website: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. 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.
[[Page 3303]]
<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.
Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special
permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments.
If you submit your 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: There is a privacy statement 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 actually treated as private by its owner. Under the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 United States Code 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, along with the
original document, a second copy of the original document with the CBI
deleted; 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 Ms. Jamie Huff, DOT, PHMSA-PHP-80, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this matter.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
General: Ms. Jamie Huff by telephone at 812-677-8809, or by email
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e242f23272b60263b28280e2a213a60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e78d868a8e82c98f928181a7838893c9808891">[email protected]</span></a>.
Technical: Mr. Vincent Holohan by telephone at 202-360-6615, or by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95e3fcfbf6f0fbe1bbfdfaf9fafdf4fbd5f1fae1bbf2fae3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f4ebece1e7ecf6aceaedeeedeae3ecc2e6edf6ace5edf4">[email protected]</span></a>.
References: A copy of the Second Edition of American Petroleum
Institute (API) 15S will be made available for review at PHMSA's
headquarters in Washington, DC, for individuals seeking to comment on
this notice. To coordinate scheduling review, contact Timothy O'Shea,
Attorney-Advisor, PHMSA, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7c3dedad8c3dfce99d890c4dfd2d6f7d3d8c399d0d8c1">timothy.o'<span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="36455e53577652594218515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 13, 2024, PHMSA received a
special permit application from AGT, owned by affiliates of Enbridge
Inc. In its application, AGT seeks a waiver of the Federal pipeline
safety regulations at 49 CFR 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149,
192.150, 192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714, to authorize the
use of Smartpipe pipe and fittings in a regulated interstate gas
transmission pipeline located in Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3
locations.
Specifically, AGT proposes to insert 8.79-inch diameter Smartpipe
composite pipe and components into approximately 0.95 miles of an
existing 10.75-inch diameter steel gas transmission pipeline located in
Hartford County, Connecticut. Because AGT's existing regulated steel
gas transmission pipeline is un-piggable and subject to maximum
allowable operating pressure (MAOP) reconfirmation, AGT wants to use
the steel carrier pipe as added protection from excavation damage, and
to insert the new Smartpipe composite pipe. The 8.79-inch diameter
Smartpipe will allow AGT to maintain the current MAOP of 750 pounds per
square inch gauge. Smartpipe is a type of flexible reinforced
thermoplastic pipe that is not authorized by the regulations for use in
gas transmission pipelines but which both PHMSA and the operator have
experience safely managing through previous special permits and state
waivers.
PHMSA developed the draft conditions to ensure that the special
permit is not inconsistent with pipeline safety. The special permit
application, draft proposed special permit with conditions, and draft
environmental assessment are available for review and public comment in
Docket Number PHMSA-2025-0013. PHMSA invites interested persons to
review and submit comments on these documents in the docket. Please
submit comments on any potential safety, environmental, and other
relevant considerations implicated by the special permit request.
Comments may include relevant data.
Before issuing a decision on the special permit request, PHMSA will
evaluate all comments received on or before the comments closing date.
PHMSA will consider each relevant comment it receives in making its
decision to grant or deny this special permit request.
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2026, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Linda Daugherty,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2026-01369 Filed 1-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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