Gas Leak Detection and Repair Final Rule

Another last minute issuance came on Friday when PHMSA published the final rule for the Gas Leak Detection and Repair regulation on its website. The rule has been sent to the Federal Register though not yet published there.

The long-expected rule updates leak detection and repair requirements to reduce methane emissions, among other things. Key parts of the regulation include:

• Increasing the frequency of required surveys and requiring use of commercially available advanced leak detection technology—such as aerial or vehicle surveys, handheld detection devices, and continuous monitoring systems.

• Reducing volume of gas released due to unintentional emissions such as leaks and equipment failures and revising the reporting minimum threshold to detect smaller leaks sooner.

• Minimizing releases caused by equipment venting or blowdowns, associated with pipeline maintenance, repair, and construction and encouraging operators to consider cost-effective equipment that can capture methane and other gases for later use.

• Establishing clear criteria and timeframes for timely repair of all leaks that pose a risk to public safety or the environment.

You can read the unpublished version of the rule here: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/news/phmsa-final-rule-gas-pipeline-leak-detection-and-repair-submitted

Elemental compliance will monitor this new rule as it makes it way through the federal register. Our new rule analysis team analyzes each section of the proposed code language and can identify programmatic changes, implementation tasks, and associated timelines for both.

UPDATE: PHMSA has removed the Final Rule language from its website. Contact Elemental for more information on the draft language.