On January 15, 2025, PHMSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking strengthening standards for hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines while establishing the first comprehensive installation, operation, maintenance and reporting requirements for carbon dioxide gas pipelines. The NPRM focuses on “establishment of an emergency planning zone for improved emergency response and public communications,” outlines “specific requirements for vapor dispersion” and officially proposes to include carbon dioxide as a “highly volatile liquid.” PHMSA proposed regulations in the wake of the agency’s investigation into the 2020 Satartia, MS carbon dioxide pipeline failure.
Increased demand for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, which played a role in precipitating PHMSA’s regulatory actions, are funded by IRA section 13104 expanding Section 45Q credits for CCS projects started before January 1, 2033.
Those interested in commenting on the NPRM must do so within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register by submitting comments here.