PUC Adopts Final Form Rulemaking on Enhancements to Regulations for Hazardous Liquids Pipelines
Strengthens Public Utility Safety Standards Related to Pipeline Transport of Hazardous Liquids in Intrastate Commerce
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a Final Form Rulemaking Order strengthening state public utility safety standards related to the pipeline transport of hazardous liquids in intrastate commerce.
The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the final-form regulations, which provide hazardous liquid public utilities with Pennsylvania-specific safety standards designed to deter inadvertent returns, leaks, subsidence events, and water contamination events related to the construction, operation and maintenance of highly volatile liquid (HVL) pipelines and other public utility pipelines transporting hazardous liquids within Pennsylvania.
“I recognize that pipelines are vital to our economy in supplying necessary fuel for daily activities and for job creation,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank in a statement at today’s PUC Public Meeting. “Pipelines are the safest way to transport hazardous liquids. Pennsylvania’s experience, however, demonstrated that a more comprehensive and complete regulatory framework for HLPUs (Hazardous Liquid P…