Notice2026-02666
Pipeline Safety: Advisory Bulletin on Protecting Pipeline Integrity During Extreme Winter Weather, Rapid Thaw, and Geohazard Events
Primary source
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Published
February 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to highlight safety risks associated with extreme winter weather. This includes impacts from heavy snowfall, ice expansion within pipeline facilities, flooding related to winter thaw, and frost heave resulting from sustained, unusually cold temperatures. This bulletin emphasizes the need for winterizing facilities in anticipation of cold weather events and heightened monitoring of ground movement and external loads to ensure the continued safe operation of the Nation's energy infrastructure.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6287-6288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02666]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2026-0397]
Pipeline Safety: Advisory Bulletin on Protecting Pipeline
Integrity During Extreme Winter Weather, Rapid Thaw, and Geohazard
Events
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.
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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to all owners and
operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to highlight
safety risks associated with extreme winter weather. This includes
impacts from heavy snowfall, ice expansion within pipeline facilities,
flooding related to winter thaw, and frost heave resulting from
sustained, unusually cold temperatures. This bulletin emphasizes the
need for winterizing facilities in anticipation of cold weather events
and heightened monitoring of ground movement and external loads to
ensure the continued safe operation of the Nation's energy
infrastructure.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Owners and operators of pipelines
subject to regulation by PHMSA should contact the appropriate PHMSA
Region Office. The PHMSA Region Offices and their contact information
are as follows:
<bullet> Eastern Region: 609-771-7800 (Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia).
<bullet> Southern Region: 404-832-1147 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and
Tennessee).
<bullet> Central Region: 816-329-3800 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wisconsin).
<bullet> Southwest Region: 713-272-2859 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).
<bullet> Western Region: 720-963-3160 (Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and
Wyoming).
Owners and operators of intrastate pipelines should contact the
appropriate State pipeline safety authority. A list of State pipeline
safety authorities is available at <a href="http://www.napsr.org">www.napsr.org</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The winter of 2025-2026 has brought record-
breaking snowfall and unusually low temperatures to many regions across
the United States. PHMSA is aware that certain parts of the country are
experiencing temperatures significantly below historical norms. These
extreme conditions present unique risks to pipeline systems that may
not have been originally designed for sustained sub-zero environments
or the rapid changes associated with a winter thaw.
I. Identified Safety Threats
1. Heavy Snowfall and Ice Accumulation
Excessive snow and ice accumulation can impose significant external
loads on above-ground pipeline facilities, including tank roofs,
valves, regulators, and meter sets. Heavy snow can also block essential
vents for pressure relief valves or gas regulators, potentially leading
to overpressure conditions or the accumulation of hazardous vapors in
confined spaces.
2. Rapid Winter Thaw and Flooding
As temperatures rise following heavy snowfall, the resulting
``winter thaw'' often leads to localized flooding and
[[Page 6288]]
high-water velocity in rivers and streams. This presents several risks:
<bullet> Scour and Erosion: Rapidly moving water can expose buried
pipelines or undermine the supports of above-ground facilities.
<bullet> Buoyancy: Flooding can exert upward pressure on large-
diameter pipelines, potentially causing them to shift or float if the
soil cover is saturated or eroded.
3. Frost Heave and Ground Movement
Sustained cold temperatures may lead to deep frost penetration. In
areas currently experiencing unusually cold temperatures, the soil may
be subject to frost heave--the upward swelling of soil during freezing
conditions. Impacts of frost heave may include:
<bullet> Unusual Stress/Strain: When soil freezes and expands, it
exerts significant longitudinal and lateral forces on the pipe.
<bullet> Geohazard Impact: Pipelines in these areas may be subject
to unusual stress or strain due to ground movement. If the pipeline is
constrained by rigid ``stress-based'' design or legacy repairs, these
forces can lead to buckling, girth weld failure, or the propagation of
existing cracks.
4. Ice Expansion
Ice expansion--specifically, frost heave and the freezing of
trapped water inside components causing damage to valves, pipes, and
fittings--is the primary cause of cold-weather failures reported to
PHMSA. Instrumentation and control lines are also highly vulnerable
during extreme temperature changes.
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2026-03)
To: Owners and Operators of Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline
Facilities.
Subject: Pipeline Safety: Protecting Pipeline Integrity During
Extreme Winter Weather, Rapid Thaw, and Geohazard Events.
Advisory: Owners and operators are advised to consider implementing
the following measures:
<bullet> Accelerate Field Patrols: Conduct aerial and ground
patrols in areas with heavy snow and ice accumulation or emerging flood
conditions to identify exposed pipe, leaning equipment, or blocked
vents.
<bullet> Monitor Unusual Cold Zones: Operators in regions
experiencing temperatures well below their typical design thresholds
should consider evaluating the potential for frost heave. Use
instrumentation where available to monitor for unexpected strain or
displacement.
<bullet> Review Geohazard Plans: Update geohazard management plans
to account for rapid thaw cycles. Ensure response teams are staged in
areas where historical data suggests high vulnerability to washouts or
flooding.
<bullet> Inspect Above-Ground Facilities: Clear snow and ice from
essential safety equipment, including emergency shutdown valves, relief
vents, and instrumentation. Verify that snow removal equipment (e.g.,
plows) has not accidentally struck or damaged pipeline components.
<bullet> Winterize Above-Ground Facilities: Drain water from
valves, flanges, and piping prior to freezing conditions, keep control
boxes dry and monitor for moisture, and ensure vulnerable components
are upgraded to models designed for cold weather.
<bullet> Communication with Emergency Responders: Maintain clear
lines of communication with local officials as weather conditions
transition from freezing to thaw, ensuring a coordinated response to
any localized energy crises.
III. Regulatory Oversight
Owners and operators are reminded that under 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 192.613 and 195.401, they must have a procedure for
continuing surveillance of their facilities to determine and take
appropriate action concerning changes in conditions. Extreme weather
events constitute a change in condition that may require a proactive
safety response.
PHMSA notes that this advisory bulletin does not have the force and
effect of law and is not meant to bind owners, operators, or the public
in any way.
Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR
1.97.
Linda Daugherty,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2026-02666 Filed 2-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 11, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.