In a move to make energy products more affordable, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a set of new regulatory changes. According to an announcement on the Department of Transportation's website, these revisions by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are designed to enhance safety while realizing over $600 million in annualized cost savings and offering relief to American families facing high energy costs.
"Under President Trump's leadership, we’re driving down energy costs by encouraging innovation and cutting unnecessary red tape," Duffy was quoted saying. "These commonsense changes will make day to day life more affordable for American families while continuing to maintain the highest levels of safety," as mentioned on the U.S. Department of Transportation website. The first rule targets modernization of class location regulations for gas transmission lines, reflecting over fifty years of technological and safety improvements, which are projected to save more than $461 million per year. These advancements are also expected to lead to reductions in maintenance-related emissions by 1.3 billion cubic feet annually.
The second rule modifies the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), which is anticipated to lower compliance costs associated with fuel transport via cargo tank. Notable reforms include permitting new technologies for cargo tank inspections and reinstating an prior exemption for the placarding requirements for certain fuel shipments, collectively predicted to save $145.3 million each year in compliance costs.
In addition, PHMSA has released a new enforcement policy designed to offer consumer relief in regions hit by the national energy emergency declared by President Trump, specifically targeting the West Coast, Northeast, and Alaska. "Demand for American energy is growing, and today’s actions will reduce the cost of transporting it to consumers while prioritizing safety," PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti told the Department of Transportation. This policy will allow to seamlessly apply entities for special permits to defer compliance activities that could contribute to the energy emergency, providing they can do so safely.
Both final rules have been forwarded to the Federal Register for publication. The changes to class location requirements will come into effect 60 days following publication, while revisions to the HMR will become effective 30 days after publication.
