U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean P. Duffy, has announced that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to update LNG standards for the first time in decades. The update will fast-track new LNG infrastructure projects, lower energy costs, expand export capacity, and boost America’s status as a global energy powerhouse.
The proposed rule will codify advanced, cost-saving technologies that will enhance safety by allowing operators to seamlessly adopt modern innovations like pipe-in-pipe systems, single-walled ASME containers, and membrane storage tanks. Leveraging these technologies will generate US$100 million in savings annually.
“America has the natural resources, innovative spirit, and private sector might to be the world’s number one energy powerhouse. The only thing standing in our way is outdated red tape,” said Duffy. “By overhauling these basic rules to embrace modern technologies, we can safely unleash America’s energy dominance, lower costs, and generate millions in economic opportunity for the men and women powering our energy sector.”
“As the world’s largest LNG exporter, the US’ regulations for LNG facilities are the gold standard,” added PHMSA Administrator, Paul Roberti. “But we have let those regulations stagnate, relying on an outdated version of an industry standard from more than twenty years ago. Today’s long overdue proposal recognises the innovation that has transformed the industry over the last 10 years and enhances safety by streamlining regulatory requirements and incentivising the deployment of cutting-edge technologies.”
