Special Permits
A special permit (previously called a waiver) is an order that waives or modifies compliance with a regulatory requirement if the pipeline operator requesting it demonstrates the need and PHMSA determines that granting a special permit would be consistent with pipeline safety. Special permits are authorized by statute in 49 USC § 60118(c) and the application process is set forth in 49 CFR 190.341. PHMSA performs extensive technical analysis on special permit applications and typically conditions a grant of a special permit on the performance of alternative measures that will provide an equal or greater level of safety. PHMSA is committed to public involvement and transparency in special permit proceedings and publishes notice of every special permit application received in the Federal Register for comment.
For background information on general and emergency special permits, please refer to the following documents:.
- OPS Special Permit Requirements (§190.341)
- Emergency Special Permit Information
- Guidelines Related to Special Permits for 192.611 (Change in Class Location)
State Waivers
A state waiver is similar to a special permit, except that it waives or modifies compliance with a regulation adopted by the state pursuant to its participation in the pipeline safety program under a certification authorized by 49 USC § 60105 or an agreement authorized by 49 USC § 60106. Prior to issuing a state waiver, the state is required to provide PHMSA with a 60 day review period.
Federal Register Notices Related to Special Permit Applications
Federal Register (FR) Notices | Description | Publish Date |
---|---|---|
2017-0155 Hawaii Special Permit FR Notice | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. | May 25, 2018 |
83 FR 58 - Request for Special Permit | Gulf South/Boardwalk Pipeline Partners; Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2007-0039) | Mar 26, 2018 |
82 FR 86 - Request for Special Permit (SNG) | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2016–0159, Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC (SNG) | May 5, 2017 |
82 FR 86 - Request for Special Permit (EL Paso) | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2016–0160, El Paso Natural Gas Company, LLC (EPNG) | May 5, 2017 |
80 FR 65 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit; City of Bangor, Maine (PHMSA–2016–0087) | Apr 6, 2017 |
80 FR 62 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2016–0149) Donlin Gold LLC | Apr 3, 2017 |
81 FR 176 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2007–0038, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.; PHMSA–2016–0072, Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.; PHMSA–2016–0073, New Fortress Energy-Tico Development Partners, LLC) | Oct 5, 2016 |
81 FR 85 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2016–0028) | May 3, 2016 |
81 FR 35 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2016-0004, PHMSA-2016-0006, PHMSA-2016-0007, PHMSA-2016-0008, PHMSA-2016-0009) | Feb 23, 2016 |
80 FR 247 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2015–0210) | Dec 24, 2015 |
80 FR 247 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2015-0210) | Dec 24, 2015 |
80 FR 115 - Request for Special Permit | Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws: Vessel ANGELA–ARGO; Invitation for Public Comments (MARAD-2015 0074) | Jun 16, 2015 |
80 FR 115 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Special Permit Renewal Requests (PHMSA-2008-0257) | Jun 16, 2015 |
80 FR 115 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Special Permit Renewal Requests (PHMSA-2010-0063) | Jun 16, 2015 |
80 FR 23 - Renewal requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0141) | Feb 4, 2015 |
80 FR 23 - Renewal requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0213) | Feb 4, 2015 |
80 FR 23 - Renewal requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2006-26614) | Feb 4, 2015 |
80 FR 23 - Renewal requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2005-20323) | Feb 4, 2015 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0331) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2007-29078) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0345) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0066) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2009-0319) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 213 - Renewal Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Renewal Requests for Special Permit (PHMSA-2008-0330) | Nov 4, 2014 |
79 FR 37 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2013-0181) | Feb 25, 2014 |
78 FR 65429 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2010–0041) | Oct 31, 2013 |
78 FR 52820 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2013-0181) | Aug 26, 2013 |
78 FR 52821 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA-2013-0146) | Aug 26, 2013 |
77 FR 58623 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2007–0039) | Sep 21, 2012 |
77 FR 34458 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2012–0112) | Jun 11, 2012 |
76 FR 26793 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2011–0063) | May 9, 2011 |
76 FR 21423 - Requests for Special Permits | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2011–0063) | Apr 15, 2011 |
76 FR 11853 - Requests for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2011–0027) | Mar 3, 2011 |
75 FR 66425 - Request for Special Permit | Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit (PHMSA–2010–0124) | Oct 28, 2010 |