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News Digest 12.23.15

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

PHMSA Withdraws Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle Wetlines Rulemaking. On December 28, 2015 the Federal Register will publish the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) notice withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking that would have amended  the Hazardous Materials Regulations related to the transportation of flammable liquid material in unprotected external product piping on DOT specification cargo tank motor vehicles.  The withdrawal was mandated by Congress under the “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act” or the “FAST Act.”  Although PHMSA is withdrawing its rulemaking proposal, the agency will continue to consider methods to improve the safety of transporting flammable liquid by cargo tank motor vehicle.  For more information go to: http://phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/HM_213D_withdrawal_notice.pdf. Contact for media: Artealia Gilliard (202) 366-4831.


New PHMSA Final Rule Improves the Safe Transportation of Bulk Explosives. On December 21, 2015 the Federal Register published a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) final rule that amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations by adopting nine special permits related to the safe transportation of bulk explosives on cargo tank motor vehicles and multipurpose bulk trucks.  The special permits are widely used, longstanding, and have established safety records. This rule will eliminate the need for firms to apply individually for future special permit renewal requests to transport certain classes of bulk hazardous materials.  Besides reducing paperwork burdens, this rule also provides regulatory flexibility while maintaining a high level of public safety.  For more information go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/21/2015-31880/hazardous-materials-requirements-for-the-safe-transportation-of-bulk-explosives-rrr. Contact for media: Joe Delcambre (202) 493-0730.