Pipeline Safety

Louisiana House Refers SB 469 on Underground Utilities Damage Prevention to Commerce Committee

Louisiana’s SB 469, which tightens the Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law and adds rules for BEAD-funded broadband excavation, has advanced to the House Commerce Committee following Senate passage in late April 2026. If enacted, utilities, broadband developers and excavation contractors operating in Louisiana will face stricter ticketing, coordination, training and enforcement expectations from 1 August 2026, with BEAD-specific procedures applying through 2030.

11 May 2026, 12:07legis.la.govUnited States

Delaware Senate Adopts Amendment 1 to SB 275 on Underground Utility Damage Act Penalties

Delaware’s Senate has adopted Amendment 1 to SB 275, clarifying that the Public Service Commission retains authority to issue penalties under proposed changes to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention and Safety Act and will coordinate with Delmarva 811 on education and public awareness. For utilities, pipeline operators, and excavators, this adjusts enforcement governance and outreach around underground utility damage prevention but, based on the amendment synopsis, does not materially alter the core safety obligations set out in the pending bill.

8 May 2026, 06:01legis.delaware.govUnited States

Michigan MPSC Updates Gas Safety Rules and Launches New Grid Reliability and AMI Measures

On 30 April 2026 the Michigan Public Service Commission adopted updated gas safety rules, new grid resilience reporting metrics and an AMI technical conference order that together raise expectations on utility safety and reliability oversight. These measures will require regulated utilities to align with current federal pipeline standards, prepare for enhanced resilience reporting and deliver an AMI implementation roadmap by August 2026, influencing future investment, risk management and data transparency decisions.

5 May 2026, 13:41mi-psc.my.site.comUnited States

US FERC Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment for North Padre Island Lateral Abandonment Project

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has released an environmental assessment for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company’s proposed abandonment of approximately 50 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline in Texas and is accepting public comments until the evening of 22 May 2026. While the assessment finds no significant impact under NEPA, pipeline and upstream/downstream operators should review the analysis and comment window as part of their permitting, decommissioning, and environmental risk planning for regional gas infrastructure.

3 May 2026, 14:44federalregister.govUnited States

Louisiana Senate Passes SB469 Amending the Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law

In late April 2026, the Louisiana Senate passed SB 469, advancing amendments to the Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law that introduce BEAD-funded broadband excavation rules, mandatory participation in regional notification centres, clarified positive-response duties and stronger enforcement powers. If enacted, utilities, pipeline operators, broadband providers, local governments and excavators in Louisiana will face tighter pre-excavation coordination, training, ticket management and signage requirements, with BEAD-specific coordination obligations applying through 2030, necessitating updates to excavation procedures and project planning.

3 May 2026, 14:22legis.la.govUnited States

US PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Pipeline Safety Interpretation Request Procedures

In April 2026, US PHMSA issued a final rule amending 49 CFR part 190 to codify how pipeline safety interpretation requests are posted online, opened to short public comment, and final interpretations published. This procedural change increases transparency and opportunities for stakeholder input without adding technical compliance duties, but it may influence how operators seek guidance and defend their interpretations in future enforcement or legal challenges.

29 Apr 2026, 12:08federalregister.govUnited States

US PHMSA Final Rule Clarifies Consent Orders in Pipeline Safety Enforcement

In April 2026, PHMSA issued a final rule clarifying that consent agreements and orders can be used to resolve all of its pipeline safety enforcement proceedings, including cases with civil penalties. This procedural change does not create new technical safety obligations but can materially influence how pipeline operators and hazardous-liquid shippers manage enforcement risk, settlements, and compliance strategy.

28 Apr 2026, 19:03federalregister.govUnited States

US PHMSA Proposes 90-Day Operability Deadline For Rupture-Mitigation Valves

PHMSA has proposed extending the timeframe for making rupture-mitigation valves operational on new or replaced gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines from 14 days to 90 days, with comments due by 23 June 2026. If adopted, this change would ease near-term implementation pressure on covered pipeline projects while preserving RMV requirements, so operators should reassess project schedules and consider whether to provide input on the proposed timelines.

28 Apr 2026, 19:02govinfo.govUnited States

US PHMSA Updates ASTM F2767 Pipeline Safety Standard for Polyamide-12 Gas Distribution Fittings

US pipeline regulator PHMSA has issued a direct final rule to update its gas distribution pipeline safety regulations to incorporate the 2024 edition of ASTM F2767 for polyamide‑12 electrofusion fittings, effective 1 January 2027 unless adverse comments are received by 23 June 2026. Pipeline operators using PA12 fittings will need to align design, procurement, and qualification practices with the revised ASTM specification ahead of the effective date, while monitoring the comment process and taking advantage of authorised early compliance after the comment deadline.

28 Apr 2026, 19:02federalregister.govUnited States

UK OPRED Updates Schedule 3 Projects Register Under 2020 EIA Regulations (Week Commencing 20 April 2026)

In April 2026, the UK Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning updated the Schedule 3 Projects Register under the 2020 EIA Regulations, confirming six 2026 offshore pipeline and subsea works that it considers not to require a full environmental impact assessment. Operators named in the register should align project planning and assurance with these Schedule 3 determinations, paying particular attention to where consents are recorded, where notifications have been withdrawn, and where consent dates are still outstanding for planned jumper and integrity campaigns.

25 Apr 2026, 10:48assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Iowa Senate Amendment S-5190 Proposes Ban on Eminent Domain for Carbon Dioxide Pipelines

Iowa lawmakers have introduced Senate amendment S-5190 to House File 2104 to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines and tighten hazardous liquid pipeline permitting, landowner notice, and negotiation safeguards in the state. If enacted, this would materially restrict future CO₂ pipeline corridors, force greater reliance on voluntary easements and local approvals, and could reshape carbon capture and transport strategies and infrastructure planning across Iowa.

22 Apr 2026, 19:48legis.iowa.govUnited States

Louisiana HB1033 Would Expand Critical Infrastructure Definition

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing HB1033, which would broaden the state’s statutory definition of critical infrastructure to explicitly cover a wider range of transportation hubs, hazardous waste and water facilities, and government and military sites. If enacted, more industrial, energy, and utility operators in Louisiana would fall under existing critical-infrastructure protections and trespass laws, tightening security expectations without adding new standalone reporting obligations.

22 Apr 2026, 08:40legis.la.govUnited States

US Presidential Permit Authorises Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) Cross-Border Pipeline at Neche, North Dakota

The US President has issued a Presidential permit allowing Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. to continue operating and maintaining its existing cross-border oil pipeline facilities at Neche, North Dakota, under updated conditions as of 15 April 2026. This is a targeted, site-specific approval that maintains cross-border pipeline capacity while reinforcing federal oversight of safety, environmental liability, and future changes in ownership or configuration for this asset only, rather than introducing a broader regulatory change for other operators.

21 Apr 2026, 17:38whitehouse.govUnited StatesCanada

United States Issues Presidential Permit for Enbridge St. Clair Cross-Border Oil Pipeline

In April 2026 the United States issued a presidential permit allowing Enbridge Energy to continue operating and maintaining its existing cross-border oil pipeline facilities at St. Clair County, Michigan, replacing a 1991 authorization. This formal decision secures ongoing binational energy flows while reaffirming stringent U.S. oversight of pipeline safety, environmental liability, and potential federal control of the facilities in national security situations.

21 Apr 2026, 17:38whitehouse.govUnited StatesCanada

US Presidential Permit Authorises Enbridge to Operate Pembina County Cross-Border Oil Pipeline

In April 2026, the US President issued a binding Presidential permit allowing Enbridge Energy to continue operating a defined 20‑inch cross‑border oil pipeline segment at Pembina County, North Dakota, under specified federal conditions. This secures ongoing crude and petroleum flows on that corridor while reinforcing safety, reporting, national security, and decommissioning obligations that Enbridge must integrate into its asset integrity, legal, and contingency planning.

21 Apr 2026, 17:38whitehouse.govUnited StatesCanada

US Presidential Permit Authorises Enbridge to Operate Cross-Border Pipeline at St. Clair County, Michigan

In April 2026 the US President issued a new permit allowing Enbridge Energy to continue operating a 30-inch cross-border crude oil pipeline between Michigan and Canada under updated federal conditions and revoking the prior 1991 authorization. The decision confirms ongoing cross-border supply while reinforcing PHMSA-regulated safety, inspection, reporting, and potential removal obligations that pipeline operators and shippers should factor into risk and contingency planning.

21 Apr 2026, 17:37whitehouse.govUnited StatesCanada

Delaware Senate Introduces SB 275 to Amend Underground Utility Damage Prevention and Safety Act

Delaware has introduced Senate Bill 275 to amend its Underground Utility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, tightening notification duties, design coordination, excavation controls, and greatly increasing civil penalties for violations. If enacted, utilities, pipeline and water operators, and construction contractors in Delaware will face stricter three-day response expectations, mandatory use of an information exchange system, and potential million-dollar penalties, so they should monitor the bill’s progress and prepare to adjust dig-safe procedures.

14 Apr 2026, 14:56legis.delaware.govUnited States

Montana DEQ and BLM Seek Comment on Bridger Pipeline Expansion Under Major Facility Siting Act

Montana and federal regulators have initiated a public comment period for the 647-mile Bridger Pipeline crude oil expansion project. This environmental review phase provides a strategic window for stakeholders to influence route selection and mitigation requirements before final permitting decisions are made.

5 Apr 2026, 18:42deq.mt.govUnited States

US BLM Initiates EIS Scoping for Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project (Montana–Wyoming)

The US BLM has launched the Environmental Impact Statement process for the 647-mile Bridger Pipeline Expansion, with public scoping comments due by May 2026. This marks the start of a multi-year, multi-agency permitting cycle that will heavily influence project design, mitigation costs, and operational timelines for major crude oil infrastructure.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55federalregister.govUnited States

Louisiana HB 1156 Proposes Safety Rules for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Wells and Pipelines

Louisiana introduced HB 1156 in March 2026 to establish a comprehensive safety and environmental framework for Class VI carbon dioxide sequestration wells and transport pipelines. Operators face significantly increased compliance and financial burdens through stringent siting setbacks, 50-year monitoring mandates, and enhanced emergency response obligations for CCS projects.

3 Apr 2026, 18:50legis.la.govUnited States