News Digest

New PHMSA Final Rule Improves the Safe Transportation of Bulk Explosives. On December 21, 2015, the Federal Register published a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) final rule that amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations by adopting nine widely-used, longstanding special permits related to the safe transportation of bulk explosives on cargo tank motor vehicles and multipurpose bulk trucks. This rule will eliminate the need for firms to apply individually for future special permit renewal requests to transport certain classes of bulk hazardous materials. Besides reducing paperwork burdens, this rule also provides regulatory flexibility while maintaining a high level of public safety.