Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Thirteen state Attorneys General, led by Pennsylvania AG Michelle Henry (pictured), are recommending five additions to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s proposed rule on communications between railroads and emergency first responders.

AG Coalition Seeks Expansion of PHMSA First Responder Rule Proposal

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry on Oct. 27 reported leading a coalition of 13 state Attorneys General in supporting the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposed rule on communications between railroads and emergency first responders and charging the agency with expanding that proposal.

Beaver County, PA Emergency Communications Center. (Photograph Courtesy of AAR)

AAR, NS Boost AskRail Access

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Sept. 18 reported working with member company Norfolk Southern (NS) to integrate AskRail into the dispatching services of the Columbiana County, Ohio, and Beaver County,

PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown

PHMSA Eyes Rail Safety Rule to Aid First Responders in Hazmat Incidents (UPDATED Aug. 15)

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on June 21 reported proposing a new rule that would require all railroads to “always maintain—and update in real-time—accurate, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments in a train consist that would be accessible to authorized emergency response personnel.” On Aug. 15, the government agency extended the comment period for that proposal.

“Our new Multimodal Freight Office will lead coordination of our work to strengthen supply chains—including the FLOW data initiative helping companies and ports make better-informed decisions—so that they can move goods more efficiently and keep costs down for Americans," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

PHMSA: More Than $25MM to Improve Hazmat and Pipeline Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced March 20 more than $25 million available in grant funding through its pipeline and hazardous materials (hazmat) safety programs for projects that will “train first responders, strengthen safety programs, improve safety, reduce environmental impacts, and educate the public on local safety initiatives.”

“Our new Multimodal Freight Office will lead coordination of our work to strengthen supply chains—including the FLOW data initiative helping companies and ports make better-informed decisions—so that they can move goods more efficiently and keep costs down for Americans," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

USDOT Marks ‘Significant Progress’ on Key Rail Safety Reforms Following NS Ohio Derailment

Following the derailment of 11 Norfolk Southern (NS) hazardous materials (hazmat) tank cars in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says it is “marking significant early progress on its efforts to hold the rail industry accountable to work with Congress on key rail safety reforms that will improve safety for communities and rail workers in the long-term.”

FRA Administrator Amit Bose speaks about national rail safety initiatives at a FEMA-led press briefing.

FRA Announces New Hazmat Safety Initiative (Updated)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 1 announced a national initiative for focused inspections on routes that carry high-hazard flammable trains (HHFTs) and other trains carrying large volumes of hazardous material (hazmat) commodities.

DOT-113C120W9 LNG tank car. Chart Industries photo

PHMSA: Special Permit Sought to Ship Cryogenic Ethane By Rail

Gas Innovations LNG Refrigerants Inc. is seeking authorization to transport cryogenic ethane via rail in DOT-113C120W9 and DOT-113C120W tank cars, according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). PHMSA, in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is reviewing the special permit application and requesting comments on it, since it “raises issues similar to the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, a matter for which multiple rulemakings are currently pending at the agency.”