Proposed Rules on Requirements for Trains Transporting Hazardous Materials and Oil Spill Response Plans Open for Comment

August 11, 2014

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is proposing new operational requirements for certain trains transporting a large volume of Class 3 flammable liquids. The proposal includes improvements in tank car standards, revision of the general requirements for offerors to ensure proper classification and characterization of mined gases and liquids. The full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) can be viewed here and public comments can be submitted through September 30, 2014.

PHMSA and FRA are also seeking comments on potential revisions to regulations that would expand the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response plans (OSRPs) to high-hazard flammability trains (HHFTs) based on thresholds of crude oil that apply to an entire train consist. This proposal is an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule (ANPRM), which means that PHMSA/FRA are looking for general input on what should be included in regulatory language. Comments that are received in response to the ANPRM will be reviewed to help develop proposed text will subsequently be published and open for public comment. The full ANPRM can be viewed here and public comments can be submitted through September 30, 2014.