Sep 29, 2017

Hurricane Maria Preparedness and Response

PHMSA's staff continues monitor Hurricane Maria to better understand the storm's path and prospective impact to the U.S. and its territories and evaluate the potential effect it can have on hazardous materials and pipeline operations. PHMSA continues to keep those affected by the storm in their hearts and thoughts as they deal with its after effects. As part of its efforts to assist with disaster relief activities, PHMSA established this webpage to provide critical information regarding its pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs. PHMSA will continue to update this page with new information as more activities develop.

Pipeline Operations

PHMSA continues to be in contact with pipeline operators in the states within the current path of Hurricane Maria. Operators continue to aggressively implement their hurricane preparedness plans, and are taking actions to minimize the impact of the storm. Contractors are poised to begin post storm inspections of the pipeline infrastructure, which include aerial inspection by helicopter as soon as possible. PHMSA will be working with operators to discuss and potentially delay or reschedule planned inspections of pipeline systems and facilities impacted by the hurricane. PHMSA issued a Stay of Enforcement to all interstate gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators who may contain limited resources due to the storm. The document alerts operators that the agency will temporarily halt its enforcement of compliance with operator qualification requirements, but does not relieve operators of their safety responsibility to use trained, non-impaired workers to perform operation and maintenance tasks.

Several advisory bulletins issued by PHMSA in the past are available for reference to further assist pipeline operators in their efforts to respond to emergency situations and ensure they remain in compliance with Federal pipeline safety regulations.

PHMSA's Pipeline Safety program staff is continuing to work closely with the Department of Energy and Department of Homeland Security to monitor the status of critical infrastructure in the impacted areas. For those needing to access underground infrastructure in affected states or territories, PHMSA encourages a call to 811 prior to beginning any digging project. Visit the Common Ground Alliance for more information.

Additionally, PHMSA is aware that some operators may need to extend the hours-of-service for pipeline controllers for a variety of reasons, such as if other controllers are unable to get to the office or are handling their own flooding issues at home. Guidance on pipeline operator hours-of-service requirements is available HERE.

Emergency Waivers and Special Permits

Waivers: PHMSA encourages state pipeline safety partners to consider suspending its enforcement efforts for noncompliance with pipeline operator qualification or pre-employment and random drug testing requirements that may arise from an intrastate operator's use of personnel for pipeline activities related to response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Maria. In its waiver letter to the Puerto Rican Department of Transportation Public Works, PHMSA reminds the program that it would not object if the entity decided to grant requests for emergency waivers from intrastate operators of pipeline operator qualification requirements for up to 30-days.

In support of actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, PHMSA issued an Emergency Waiver Order on September 22, 2017, to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a threat to public health, welfare, or the environment caused by actual or potential oil and hazardous materials incidents resulting from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. PHMSA issued an additional Emergency Waiver Order on September 28, 2017, to allow for the transportation of fuel supplies by persons or entities under the direction of the Puerto Rican Public Service Commission within specified hurricane emergency and disaster areas. The Emergency Waivers were issued under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and Stafford Act declarations made for each territory.

Special Permits: PHMSA continues to be prepared to respond to requests for emergency special permits to assist in disaster relief efforts being conducted in response to Hurricane Maria. On September 26, 2017, PHMSA issued a Special Permit to Crowley Liner Services, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida to transport specific gasoline and diesel powered vehicles by cargo vessel to support hurricane relief efforts in U.S. territories.

PHMSA special permits allow the transportation of products in situations where it may not be possible for Government or industry to comply with specific Federal Hazardous Materials or Pipeline Safety requirements, such as for certain military operations, recovery from natural disasters or terrorist events, or to permit the use of innovative technologies not yet accommodated in the regulations. Issuing special permits allow PHMSA to address unexpected transportation situations and/or minimize unnecessary delays of shipments that could be detrimental to safety or the economy.

Special Permits: PHMSA continues to be prepared to respond to requests for emergency special permits to assist in disaster relief efforts being conducted in response to Hurricane Maria. PHMSA special permits allow the transportation of products in situations where it may not be possible for Government or industry to comply with specific Federal Hazardous Materials or Pipeline Safety requirements, such as for certain military operations, recovery from natural disasters or terrorist events, or to permit the use of innovative technologies not yet accommodated in the regulations. Issuing special permits allow PHMSA to address unexpected transportation situations and/or minimize unnecessary delays of shipments that could be detrimental to safety or the economy.

To learn more about obtaining a hazardous materials emergency special permit, click HERE.

To learn more about obtaining a pipeline safety emergency special permit, click HERE.

For additional information regarding emergency special permits or hazardous materials transport, please call the offices below:

• Hazardous Materials Information Center: 800-467-4922
• Hazardous Materials Approvals and Permits Division: 202-366-4535
• Office of Pipeline Safety: 202-366-4595

Unauthorized Usage of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns unauthorized drone operators that they may be subject to significant fines if they interfere with emergency response operations. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a Temporary Flight Restriction(TFR) is not in place.Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.

In certain cases, FAA rules will allow the operation of a UAS to support activities which answer significant and urgent government interests. See FAA Special Government Interest Addendum or the FAA website for more details.