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On September 7, 2023, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published another proposed rule entitled Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines. The proposed rule responds to Congressional mandates found in the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020, which required PHMSA to promulgate a rule that modifies the minimum requirements for Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) plans, Emergency Response Plans, establishes Management of Change requirements for distribution operators, and modifies design and operations & maintenance requirements for overpressure protection. Comments are due to PHMSA on November 6, 2023.

APGA is collaborating with the American Gas Association (AGA) on developing distribution industry comments in response to PHMSA’s proposals. Eight different task groups with representatives from APGA and AGA will be developing industry positions on PHMSA’s proposals (DIMP, Emergency Response Plans, Overpressurization, Management of Change, Recordkeeping, Presence of Qualified Personnel, Construction Inspection, and Pressure Test Records). Comments will also be shared with the Operations & Safety committee as they are developed.

For questions regarding this article or if you are are interested in participating in one of the task groups, please contact Erin Kurilla of APGA staff by phone at 202-802-0493 or by email at ekurilla@apga.org.