Proposed Rule2026-08076
Pipeline Safety: Timeframe To Make RMVs Operational
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
April 24, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Abstract
PHMSA proposes to amend the required timeframes for making rupture-mitigation valves and alternative equivalent technology operational on gas transmission, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 79 (Friday, April 24, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22111-22115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08076]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 192 and 195
[Docket No. PHMSA-2026-1553]
RIN 2137-AG57
Pipeline Safety: Timeframe To Make RMVs Operational
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: PHMSA proposes to amend the required timeframes for making
rupture-mitigation valves and alternative equivalent technology
operational on gas transmission, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide
pipelines.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket Number
PHMSA-2026-1553 using any of the following methods:
E-Gov Web: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. This site allows the public
to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: U.S. DOT Docket Management System: West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
For commenting instructions and additional information about
commenting, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brooks Tate, Transportation
Specialist, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, 202-744-
0825, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c1e0e1313170f52081d08193c181308521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1371617c7c78603d6772677653777c673d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Discussion
Through this NPRM, PHMSA is proposing to revise requirements in 49
CFR 192.634(a) and 195.418(a) for making rupture-mitigation valves
(RMV) and alternative equivalent technologies operational from 14 days
to 90 days. Section 192.634(a) currently requires gas transmission
pipeline operators to make ``RMVs or alternative equivalent
technologies . . . operational within 14 days of placing the new or
replaced pipeline segment into service.'' Section 195.418(a) similarly
requires hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipeline operators to make
RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies operational within the same
14-day deadline.
In response to DOT's request for information (90 FR 14593 (Apr. 3,
2025)), the American Gas Association
[[Page 22112]]
(AGA) and American Public Gas Association (APGA) asked PHMSA to update
Sec. 192.634(a) by increasing the timeframe required by the current
regulation, claiming the 14-day timeline is ``disproportionately
burdensome to operators relative to the safety value.'' \1\ PHMSA
agrees with AGA and APGA that the current 14-day timeframe can be
challenging for operators to meet, especially considering extenuating
circumstances related to inclement weather and operational challenges
synchronizing these valves in a supervisory control and data
acquisition system. PHMSA also notes that, though natural gas pipeline
operators requested this change to be made specifically for the Part
192 regulations, hazardous liquid pipeline operators regulated under
Part 195 face similar challenges of issues during construction or
project management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ AGA and APGA, ``Comments on Ensuring Lawful Regulation;
Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs'' (May 5,
2025), <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/comment/DOT-OST-2025-0026-0897">https://www.regulations.gov/comment/DOT-OST-2025-0026-0897</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operators may require more time to verify operation of these
appurtenances due to construction issues, the procurement and
installation of telemetry equipment, adverse weather, and other
potential issues. PHMSA expects, however, that most operators will
complete this requirement sooner than 90 days. For these reasons, PHMSA
is proposing to revise Sec. Sec. 192.634(a) and 195.418(a) to increase
the timeframe for making RMVs or alternative equivalent technologies
operational from 14 to 90 days. PHMSA believes that a 90-day timeframe
is appropriate for the reasons stated above and consistent with other
deadlines in Parts 192 and 195.
Commenting Instructions: Please include the docket number PHMSA-
2026-1553 at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your
comments by mail, submit two copies. If you wish to receive
confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, include a self-
addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Note: Comments are posted without changes or edits to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information provided.
There is a privacy statement published on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="https://www.dot.gov/privacy">https://www.dot.gov/privacy</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 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from
public disclosure. It is important that you clearly designate the
comments submitted as CBI if: your comments responsive to this document
contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated
as private; you actually treat such information as private; and your
comment is relevant or responsive to this notice. Pursuant to 49 CFR
190.343, you may ask PHMSA to provide 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 that you are submitting is CBI. Submissions
containing CBI should be sent to Brooks Tate, Office of Pipeline Safety
Standards and Rulemaking Division, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA), 2nd Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6406160b0b0f174a1005100124000b104a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99fbebf6f6f2eab7edf8edfcd9fdf6edb7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>. Any
materials PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI
will be placed in the public docket.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online
instructions for accessing the docket. Alternatively, you may review
the documents in person at the street address listed above.
II. Regulatory Analysis and Notices
A. Legal Authority
This proposed rule is published under the authority of the
Secretary of Transportation set forth in the Federal Pipeline Safety
Laws (49 U.S.C. Sec. 60101 et seq.) and delegated to the PHMSA
Administrator pursuant to 49 CFR 1.97.
B. Statutory Requirement and Executive Order 12866
The Pipeline Safety Laws (49 U.S.C. 60102(b)) require that PHMSA
prepare a risk assessment that identifies the costs and benefits
associated with a proposed regulatory change. E.O. 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, as implemented by DOT Order 2100.6B (``Policies
and Procedures for Rulemaking'') and DOT Order 2100.7 (``Ensuring
Reliance upon Sound Economic Analysis in Department of Transportation
Policies, Programs, and Activities''), requires agencies to regulate in
the ``most cost-effective manner,'' to make a ``reasoned determination
that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs,'' and
to develop regulations that ``impose the least burden on society.'' In
arriving at those conclusions, E.O. 12866 requires that agencies should
consider ``both quantifiable measures . . . and qualitative measures of
costs and benefits that are difficult to quantify'' and ``maximize net
benefits . . . unless a statute requires another regulatory approach.''
E.O. 12866 also requires that ``agencies should assess all costs and
benefits of available regulatory alternatives, including the
alternative of not regulating.'' DOT Order 2100.6B directs that PHMSA
and other Operating Administrations must generally choose the ``least
costly regulatory alternative that achieves the relevant objectives''
unless required by law or compelling safety need. DOT Order 2100.6B
also specifies that regulations should generally ``not be issued unless
their benefits are expected to exceed their costs'' unless required by
law or compelling safety need. DOT Order 2100.7 requires that ``all
rulemaking activities shall be based on sound economic principles and
analysis supported by rigorous cost-benefit requirements.''
E.O. 12866 and DOT Order 2100.6B also require that PHMSA submit
``significant regulatory actions'' to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Executive Office of the
President's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This
proposed rule is a not significant regulatory action pursuant to E.O.
12866; OMB also has not designated this rule as a ``major rule'' as
defined by the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).
PHMSA has complied with the procedural and analytical requirements
in E.O. 12866 as implemented by DOT Order 2100.6B and DOT Order 2100.7,
as well as the requirements in 49 U.S.C. 60102(b), and preliminarily
determined that this proposed rule will result in some cost savings by
reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty for natural gas
and hazardous liquid facility operators by revising disproportionately
burdensome compliance timelines. The
[[Page 22113]]
accompanying Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis provides detailed
estimates of the cost savings to operators of the increased timeframe
for making RMVs operational. PHMSA estimates that the changes in the
proposed rule would result in cost savings of $20,877 annually. PHMSA
expects these cost savings may also result in reduced costs for the
public to whom pipeline operators generally transfer a portion of their
compliance costs. PHMSA has also preliminarily determined that the
proposed rule will not have adverse effects on safety.
C. Executive Orders 14192 and 14219
This proposed rule, if finalized as proposed, is expected to be a
deregulatory action pursuant to E.O. 14192, Unleashing Prosperity
Through Deregulation. PHMSA estimates that the total costs of the
proposed rule on the regulated community will be less than zero. Nor
does this rulemaking implicate any of the factors identified in section
2(a) of E.O. 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the
President's ``Department of Government Efficiency'' Deregulatory
Initiative, indicative that a regulation is ``unlawful . . . [or] that
undermine[s] the national interest.''
D. Energy-Related Executive Orders 13211, 14154, and 14156
The President has declared in E.O. 14156, Declaring a National
Energy Emergency, a national emergency to address America's inadequate
energy development production, transportation, refining, and generation
capacity. Similarly, E.O. 14154, Unleashing American Energy, asserts a
Federal policy to unleash American energy by ensuing access to abundant
supplies of reliable, affordable energy from (inter alia) the removal
of ``undue burden[s]'' on the identification, development, or use of
domestic energy resources such as PHMSA-jurisdictional gases and
hazardous liquids. PHMSA preliminarily finds this proposed rule is
consistent with each of E.O. 14156 and E.O. 14154. The proposed rule
will give affected pipeline operators relief from unnecessarily
stringent compliance timeframes. PHMSA therefore expects the regulatory
amendments in this proposed rule will in turn increase national
pipeline transportation capacity and improve pipeline operators'
ability to provide abundant, reliable, affordable natural gas and
hazardous liquid in response to residential, commercial, and industrial
demand.
However, this proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action''
under E.O. 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly
Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use, which requires Federal
agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for any ``significant
energy action.'' Because this proposed rule is not a significant action
under E.O. 12866, it will not have a significant adverse effect on
supply, distribution, or energy use.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
PHMSA analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the principles
and criteria contained in E.O. 13132, Federalism, and the Presidential
Memorandum (``Preemption'') published in the Federal Register on May
22, 2009. E.O. 13132 requires agencies to assure meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory
policies that may have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on
the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels
of government.''
While the proposed rule may (when finalized) operate to preempt
some State requirements, it would not impose any regulation that has
substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship between the
National Government and the States, or the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Section
60104(c) of the Federal Pipeline Safety Laws prohibits certain State
safety regulation of interstate pipelines. Under the Federal Pipeline
Safety Laws, States that have submitted a current certification under
section 60105(a) can augment Federal pipeline safety requirements for
intrastate pipelines regulated by PHMSA but may not approve safety
requirements less stringent than those required by Federal law. A State
may also regulate an intrastate pipeline facility that PHMSA does not
regulate. The preemptive effect of the regulatory amendments in this
proposed rule is limited to the minimum level necessary to achieve the
objectives of the Federal Pipeline Safety Laws. Therefore, the
consultation and funding requirements of E.O. 13132 do not apply.
F. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
Federal agencies to conduct an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(IRFA) for a proposed rule subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking
unless the agency head certifies that the proposed rule in the
rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. E.O. 13272, Proper Consideration of Small
Entities in Agency Rulemaking, obliges agencies to establish procedures
promoting compliance with the RFA. DOT posts its implementing guidance
on a dedicated web page.\2\ This proposed rule was developed in
accordance with E.O. 13272 and DOT implementing guidance to ensure
compliance with the RFA. The proposed rule is expected to reduce
regulatory burdens by extending compliance timelines and reducing
notification requirements for operators making rupture-mitigation
valves operational. The changes proposed here are not expected to
impose additional burdens on any operator. Therefore, PHMSA certifies
the proposed rule (if finalized) will not have a significant impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ DOT, Rulemaking Requirements Concerning Small Entities,
<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/rulemaking-requirements-concerning-small-entities">https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/rulemaking-requirements-concerning-small-entities</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
requires agencies to assess the effects of Federal regulatory actions
on State, local, and Tribal governments, and the private sector. For
any proposed or final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may
result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in
the aggregate of $100 million or more in 1996 dollars ($203 million in
2024 dollars) in any given year, the agency must prepare, amongst other
things, a written statement that qualitatively and quantitatively
assesses the costs and benefits of the Federal mandate.
This proposed rule does not impose unfunded mandates under UMRA.
PHMSA does not expect the proposed rule will result in costs of $100
million or more (in 1996 dollars) per year for either State, local, or
Tribal governments, or to the private sector.
H. National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) requires that Federal agencies assess and consider the impact of
major Federal actions on the human and natural environment.
PHMSA analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with NEPA and
issues this draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) because it
has preliminarily determined that the rulemaking will not adversely
affect safety and therefore will not significantly affect the quality
of the human and natural environment. As
[[Page 22114]]
discussed above, industry stakeholders noted that the current 14-day
timeline for RMV operability is impracticable; the extended timeline--
which PHMSA expects most operators will satisfy well in advance of the
90-day deadline--accounts for the real-world challenges of integrating
complex, safety-critical equipment into a pipeline's operations. The
public is invited to comment on the impact of the proposed action.
I. Executive Order 13175
PHMSA analyzed this proposed rule according to the principles and
criteria in E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian
Tribal Governments, and DOT Order 5301.1A (``Department of
Transportation Tribal Consultation Policies and Procedures''). E.O.
13175 requires agencies to assure meaningful and timely input from
Tribal government representatives in the development of rules that
significantly or uniquely affect Tribal communities by imposing
``substantial direct compliance costs'' or ``substantial direct
effects'' on such communities or the relationship or distribution of
power between the Federal Government and Tribes.
PHMSA assessed the impact of the proposed rule and determined that
it will not significantly or uniquely affect Tribal communities or
Indian Tribal governments. The rulemaking's regulatory amendments have
a broad, national scope; therefore, this proposed rule will not
significantly or uniquely affect Tribal communities, much less impose
substantial compliance costs on Native American Tribal governments or
mandate Tribal action. For these reasons, PHMSA has concluded that the
funding and consultation requirements of E.O. 13175 and DOT Order
5301.1A do not apply.
J. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its
implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d) requires that PHMSA provide
interested members of the public and affected agencies with an
opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping
requests. Section 192.634 and 195.418 require operators to notify PHMSA
to request an extension if a rupture-mitigation valve or alternative
equivalent technology cannot be made operational within 14 days of
installation. PHMSA proposes to revise Sec. Sec. 192.634(a) and
195.418(a) to increase this timeframe from 14 to 90 days resulting in a
90 percent decrease in the number of requests to extend the operational
deadline. The burden estimate for this information collection will be
revised to reflect this decrease.
PHMSA will submit the following information collection request to
OMB for approval based on the adjustments in this proposed rule. These
information collection requirements are contained in the Federal
Pipeline Safety Regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. The following
information is provided for this information collection: (1) Title of
the information collection; (2) OMB control number; (3) Current
expiration date; (4) Type of request; (5) Abstract of the information
collection activity; (6) Description of affected public; (7) Estimate
of total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden; and (8) Frequency
of collection. The information collection will be revised as follows:
Title: Rupture Mitigation Valve Notification Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0638.
Current Expiration Date: 11/30/2025.
Type of Request: Revision.
Abstract: 49 CFR 192.634 and 49 CFR 195.418 require operators who
elect to use alternative equivalent technology to notify the Office of
Pipeline Safety at least 90 days in advance of use. An operator
choosing this option must include a technical and safety evaluation,
including design, construction, and operating procedures for the
alternative equivalent technology with the notification.
Operators must notify PHMSA if a rupture-mitigation valve cannot be
made operational within 90 days of installation. Operators must also
notify PHMSA if a valve cannot be repaired or replaced within 12
months.
An operator may seek exemption from certain regulatory requirements
by notifying PHMSA in certain instances. An operator may plan to leave
a rupture-mitigation valve open for more than 30 minutes following a
rupture identification if the operator demonstrates to PHMSA, that
closing a rupture mitigation valve, or alternative equivalent
technology, would be detrimental to public safety. Likewise, for
hazardous liquid pipeline segments in a non-high consequence area (HCA)
or a non-HCA could-affect segment, an operator may request exemption
from certain requirements if it can demonstrate to PHMSA that
installing an otherwise-required rupture-mitigation valve, or
alternative equivalent technology, would be economically, technically,
or operationally infeasible.
Affected Public: Operators of PHMSA-regulated pipelines.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 435.
Estimated annual burden hours: 2,215.
Frequency of collection: On occasion.
Requests for copies of this information collection should be
directed to Angela Hill at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8cede2ebe9e0eda2e4e5e0e0cce8e3f8a2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="92f3fcf5f7fef3bcfafbfefed2f6fde6bcf5fde4">[email protected]</span></a>.
Comments are invited on:
(a) The need for the proposed collection of information for the
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether
the information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
revised collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques.
Send comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Desk Officer for
the Department of Transportation, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
20503. Comments should be submitted on or prior to June 23, 2026.
K. Executive Order 13609 and International Trade Analysis
E.O. 13609, Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation,
requires agencies to consider whether the impacts associated with
significant variations between domestic and international regulatory
approaches are unnecessary or may impair the ability of American
business to export and to compete internationally. In meeting shared
challenges involving health, safety, labor, security, environmental,
and other issues, international regulatory cooperation can identify
approaches that are at least as protective as those that are or would
be adopted in the absence of such cooperation. International regulatory
cooperation can also reduce, eliminate, or prevent unnecessary
differences in regulatory requirements.
Similarly, the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-39), as
amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465),
prohibits Federal agencies from establishing any standards or engaging
in related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign
commerce of the United States. For purposes of these requirements,
Federal agencies may
[[Page 22115]]
participate in the establishment of international standards, so long as
the standards have a legitimate domestic objective, such as providing
for safety, and do not operate to exclude imports that meet this
objective. The statute also requires consideration of international
standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S.
standards.
PHMSA engages with international standards setting bodies to
protect the safety of the American public. PHMSA has assessed the
effects of the proposed rule and has determined that its proposed
regulatory amendments will not cause unnecessary obstacles to foreign
trade.
L. Cybersecurity and Executive Order 14028
E.O. 14028, Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity, directs the
Federal Government to improve its efforts to identify, to deter, and to
respond to ``persistent and increasingly sophisticated malicious cyber
campaigns.'' PHMSA has considered the effects of the proposed rule and
has determined that its proposed regulatory amendments would not
materially affect the cybersecurity risk profile for pipeline
facilities.
List of Subjects
49 CFR Part 192
Gas, Natural gas, Pipeline safety.
49 CFR Part 195
Anhydrous ammonia, Carbon dioxide, Petroleum, Pipeline safety.
For the reasons set forth above, PHMSA proposes to amend 49 CFR
parts 192 and 195 as follows:
PART 192--TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE:
MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS
0
1. The authority citation for 49 CFR Part 192 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 185(w)(3), 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60101 et seq.,
and 49 CFR 1.97.
0
2. In Sec. 192.634, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 192.634 Transmission lines: Onshore valve shut-off for rupture
mitigation.
(a) Applicability. For new or entirely replaced onshore
transmission pipeline segments with diameters of 6 inches or greater
that are located in high-consequence areas (HCA) or Class 3 or Class 4
locations and that are installed after April 10, 2023, an operator must
install or use existing rupture-mitigation valves (RMV), or an
alternative equivalent technology, according to the requirements of
this section and Sec. Sec. 192.179 and 192.636. RMVs and alternative
equivalent technologies must be operational within 90 days of placing
the new or replaced pipeline segment into service. An operator may
request an extension of this 90-day operation requirement if it can
demonstrate to PHMSA, in accordance with the notification procedures in
Sec. 192.18, that application of that requirement would be
economically, technically, or operationally infeasible. The
requirements of this section apply to all applicable pipe replacement
projects, even those that do not otherwise involve the addition or
replacement of a valve. This section does not apply to pipe segments in
Class 1 or Class 2 locations that have a potential impact radius (PIR),
as defined in Sec. 192.903, that is less than or equal to 150 feet.
* * * * *
PART 195--TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS BY PIPELINE
0
3. The authority citation for Part 195 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 185(w)(3), 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60101 et seq.,
and 49 CFR 1.97.
0
4. In Sec. 195.418, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 195.418 Valves: Onshore valve shut-off for rupture mitigation.
(a) Applicability. For newly constructed and entirely replaced
onshore hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide pipeline segments, as
defined at Sec. 195.2, with diameters of 6 inches or greater that
could affect high-consequence areas or are located in high consequence
areas (HCA), and that have been installed after April 10, 2023, an
operator must install or use existing rupture-mitigation valves (RMV),
as defined at Sec. 195.2, or alternative equivalent technologies
according to the requirements of this section and Sec. 195.419. RMVs
and alternative equivalent technologies must be operational within 90
days of placing the new or replaced pipeline segment in service. An
operator may request an extension of this 90-day operation requirement
if it can demonstrate to PHMSA, in accordance with the notification
procedures in Sec. 195.18, that application of that requirement would
be economically, technically, or operationally infeasible. The
requirements of this section apply to all applicable pipe replacements,
even those that do not otherwise directly involve the addition or
replacement of a valve.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2026, under the authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Paul J. Roberti,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-08076 Filed 4-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 24, 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.