“On a bipartisan basis, Congress came to the common-sense conclusion that it is finally time to deploy modern technologies to find and repair pipeline leaks to prevent waste of valuable products and protect people and the environment,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “This rule will deploy pipeline workers across the country to find and repair leaks that will improve safety for the public—and will ensure America continues to be the global leader in methane mitigation, which is one of the most potent greenhouse gases threatening the economy and our planet today.”
Section 113 of the bipartisan PIPES Act of 2020 mandated the issuance of a rulemaking requiring the development of advanced leak detection programs capable of identifying, locating, and categorizing natural gas leaks from pipeline infrastructure for timely repair. In June of 2021, PHMSA issued guidance to gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators that operators must update their operations and maintenance plans to minimize emissions, underscoring Congress’ new requirement in section 114 of the PIPES Act of 2020. In 2022, PHMSA fanned out across the country to inspect operations and maintenance plans to ensure compliance. Today’s proposed rule builds on these actions by indicating exactly what pipeline operators must do to comply once the rule is finalized in the coming months.
“When built by the men and women of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) – the best trained and most highly skilled craftspeople in the world – pipelines are the safest and least carbon intensive mode of transport for the energy that powers our nation. This proposed rule will ensure that our leak detection and mitigation efforts utilize cutting edge technology and leverage the skilled workforce required to modernize this infrastructure and keep communities safe,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “This proposed rulemaking will not only continue to put our members to work, but it will help protect Americans and increase efficiency all while reducing harmful emissions. This commonsense solution is long overdue, and thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, it will ensure the United States remains a world leader in the energy industry for generations to come.”
This rule also builds on other national and international actions advanced by Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to reduce methane emissions—a greenhouse gas with more than 25 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. As part of the Administration’s U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan and President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, PHMSA is also implementing funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize municipally and community-owned natural gas distribution pipes. Last month, PHMSA announced the first $196 million from the nearly $1 billion Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant program, and the next funding opportunity of $392 million is expected to be released this month.
The proposed rule has been transmitted to the Federal Register. A publication date will be provided when it becomes available along with an opportunity to provide public comment.
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