Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a new Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update decades old regulations for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, fast-track new LNG infrastructure projects, expand domestic export capacity, and grow the small-scale LNG market. DOT said this is one of several “Unleashing American Energy” rulemakings that are expected to reduce regulatory burdens on industry.

The ANPRM solicits stakeholder feedback on potential opportunities for amendment of PHMSA’s regulations governing the siting, design, installation, construction, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance of LNG facilities at 49 CFR part 193. Those requirements have not been substantially revised for over two decades.

In addition to today’s ANPRM, PHMSA announced three other priority areas where the agency will be updating or revising its rules to unleash American energy:

• Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipeline Repair Criteria—PHMSA will issue an ANPRM to modernize pipeline repair requirements to improve safety and efficiency.

• Pipeline Class Location Change Requirements—PHMSA will finalize new safety requirements allowing for modern technologies to be used to safely account for population changes near existing natural gas pipelines. These regulations have not been updated in over 50 years.

• Modal Safety Advancements—PHMSA will complete a pending rulemaking to revise and streamline hazardous materials requirements for the transportation of petroleum-based fuels and other essential energy products to reduce compliance complexity and eliminate unnecessary burdens on shippers and motor carriers.