PHMSA Extends Rule Suspending LNG Rail Shipments Via Mid-2025

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The Division of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Supplies Security Administration (PHMSA) on Friday issued a last rule extending the suspension of LNG transports by rail automotive via June 2025, making certain no shipments happen till a companion rulemaking is finalized. 

In 2021, the Biden administration first suspended a Trump-era last rule authorizing liquefied pure gasoline rail shipments in specialised containers which have by no means been used. PHMSA beforehand mentioned it wanted extra time to difficulty a companion rulemaking. The preliminary suspension was meant to sundown on June 30, 2024. 

“The suspension will guarantee no rail tank automotive transports LNG earlier than up to date analysis on security is accomplished or a revised rulemaking is accomplished by June 30, 2025, whichever is earlier,” a PHMSA spokesperson instructed NGI on Friday. “This suspension will reduce potential dangers to public well being, security and the setting.”

[Decision Maker: A real-time news service focused on the North American natural gas and LNG markets, NGI’s All News Access is the industry’s go-to resource for need-to-know information. Learn more.]

The federal company can be awaiting suggestions from the Nationwide Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medication, and “permitting for the potential growth of operational controls for rail tank vehicles carrying LNG” previous to issuing its companion rule (RIN 2137-AF54). 

As well as, PHMSA mentioned it took under consideration feedback acquired from environmental teams and 14 attorneys basic that claimed the preliminary suspension was based mostly on flawed security assessments and questioned whether or not the company ignored correct accounting for emissions.

The federal company additionally cited a Norfolk Southern Railway derailment earlier this yr in East Palestine, OH. Whereas not one of the 38 railcars that derailed have been carrying LNG, PHMSA mentioned it’s working with the Nationwide Transportation Security Board to find out how the East Palestine derailment may inform rail transportation of different hazardous supplies, together with LNG. 

The ultimate rule would nonetheless permit LNG shipments below a PHMSA particular allow or in transportable Worldwide Group for Standardization tanks secured to a rail automotive, which have been transported in the USA. 

Earlier this yr, the federal company, nevertheless, denied a request from a unit of New Fortress Power Inc. (NFE) to resume its particular allow to move LNG by rail. NFE’s Power Transport Options LLC had been issued a particular allow in 2019, the identical yr former President Trump enacted an government order for the PHMSA to permit LNG transport by rail below sure circumstances. PHMSA had been contemplating the request for a number of years after the allow was meant to run out.

The ultimate rule, which was revealed within the Federal Register, comes into impact on the finish of October. 

The put up PHMSA Extends Rule Suspending LNG Rail Shipments Via Mid-2025 appeared first on Pure Fuel Intelligence

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