Report on the PHMSA LNG Regulation Workshop

PresentationIn May 2016, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) held a two day public workshop to solicit input and obtain background information for the formulation of a future regulatory change to 49 CFR part 193, Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards. Representatives from the public, industry, and governmental agencies were offered an opportunity to participate in a future rule making by providing their desired changes to Part 193. Part 193 was promulgated in 1980 and the last major revision was in 2000 when requirements were removed from Part 193 and replaced by incorporating additional requirements from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 59A, Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This paper serves to report the major outcomes of the workshop and outline some of the challenges that are present in updating the regulation. This paper in no way represents a definitive path forward for Part 193 and is not an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The discussion contained in this paper is intended for information purposes only