Sep 9, 2017

Hurricane Irma Preparedness and Response

PHMSA's staff continues monitor the path of Hurricane Irma to better understand the storm's prospective impact to geographic regions and evaluate its potential effect on hazardous materials and pipeline operations. Our staff 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 Irma. 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 for interstate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators affected by the storm, alerting them that the agency will temporarily halt its enforcement of compliance with operator qualification requirements. 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 or the following webpages for more information:

• Florida: Sunshine 811
• Georgia: Georgia 811
• North Carolina: North Carolina 811
• South Carolina: South Carolina 811

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: As states begin to brace for Hurricane Irma's impact to the U.S. mainland, PHMSA is suspending its enforcement efforts for noncompliance with pipeline operator qualification or pre-employment and random drug testing requirements that may arise from the use of personnel for pipeline activities related to response and recovery. The enforcement stay only applies to operators in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico who may contain limited resources due to the storm and does not relieve them of their safety responsibility to use trained, non-impaired workers to perform operation and maintenance tasks. PHMSA's stay of enforcement letters to affected states can be found in the related links section of this page.

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 8, 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 Irma in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, and South Carolina. PHMSA issued an additional Emergency Waiver Order on September 10, 2017, for the State of Georgia. The Emergency Waivers were issued under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and Stafford Act declarations made for each state and territory.

The EPA and the Department of Energy are also working to address fuel supply disruptions in anticipation of major refinery or pipeline impacts as a result of hurricane Irma. The EPA recently issued an Emergency Fuel Waiver for 38 states and the District of Columbia to help ensure an adequate supply of fuel throughout the country as the storm season continues to threaten and disrupt the operations of Gulf Coast refineries.

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 Irma. 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 an emergency special permit, click HERE.

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

For additional information regarding emergency hazardous materials transport please call the offices below:

• Hazardous Materials Information Center: 800-467-4922
• 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.