Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program Modifications and Clarifications

Summary: This action modifies the integrity management regulations for hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines. The modifications include adding an eight-month window to the period for reassessing hazardous liquid pipelines; modifying notification requirements for operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines; repealing a requirement for gas operators to notify local authorities; and allowing alternatives in calculating pressure reduction when making an immediate repair on a hazardous liquid pipeline. This action is intended to improve pipeline safety by clarifying the integrity management regulations and providing operators with increased flexibility in implementing their integrity management (IM) programs.