Pipeline Safety Alert: Reauthorization Bill Provides PHMSA with Significant New Authority

On June 22, 2016, the President signed into law the PIPES Act, reauthorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) federal pipeline safety program through fiscal year 2019.  Among several amendments to the Pipeline Safety Laws, the PIPES Act provides PHMSA with significant new authority to issue industry-wide emergency orders and requires PHMSA to develop underground gas storage standards.  Babst Calland’s Pipeline and HazMat Safety team has prepared a Pipeline Safety Alert offering observations on some of the key provisions in the PIPES Act.