Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Summary
This proposed rule defines drinking water and ecological areas that are unusually sensitive to environmental damage if there is a hazardous liquid pipeline release. We refer to these areas as unusually sensitive areas (USAs). The proposed definition was created through a series of public workshops and our collaboration with a wide-range of federal, state, public, and industry stakeholders. RSPA is working on a pilot test that implements the proposed definition and identifies USAs in three states: Texas, Louisiana, and California. Other government agencies, environmental groups, and academia will evaluate the final results of this pilot test. RSPA will publish the results of the pilot test and technical analysis once they are complete. This proposed rule would not require specific action by pipeline operators. However, this proposed definition would be used as criteria in evaluating requirements by certain existing and future regulations.