A Message from PHMSA's New Administrator

I am thrilled to be back at PHMSA, leading the charge to unleash American energy while maintaining a global leadership role in safely facilitating the movement of billions of hazardous materials shipments each year.

2025 was a busy year for PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. We worked diligently to modernize the Hazardous Materials Regulations through a record number of rulemakings, increasing cost savings and reducing regulatory burdens without sacrificing safety. We continued investing in hazardous materials research and the development of new technologies that will help facilitate the safe movement of hazardous materials across the globe. We also introduced new inspection and enforcement priorities for our hazardous materials field team, incorporating a new data-driven framework that directs inspectors and investigators to focus on areas with the greatest potential impact on safety.

Whether collaborating with our federal and international partners to facilitate space exploration, reducing barriers for emerging technologies, like drones, to transport certain consumer commodities, or completing more than 1,000 inspections to ensure compliance, our team is constantly adapting to ensure our hazardous materials transportation system remains the safest in the world.

Collectively, these efforts showcase good government.

As we close out 2025, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. The team’s collective efforts have made an incredible impact on the daily lives of every American. I am proud to represent this organization, and I look forward to building on this success in 2026!

Paul Roberti
Administrator, PHMSA

Introducing the Administrator

The Honorable Paul J. Roberti was sworn in as the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on September 25, 2025, by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Administrator Roberti has extensive experience in risk consulting, regulatory affairs, and legal oversight across the energy and utilities sectors. Before his appointment, he served as the Managing Director of Risk Consulting at Ernst & Young LLP, where he advised public utilities on compliance with complex legislative and regulatory requirements. He previously held the position of Chief Economic and Policy Advisor at the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, guiding critical energy policy evaluations and grid modernization initiatives.

Mr. Roberti's expertise in the regulatory landscape was further honed by his previous role as PHMSA's Chief Counsel during the first Trump Administration, where he led the agency's legal affairs, managed enforcement actions, coordinated litigation with the Department of Justice, and developed legislative proposals related to pipeline and surface transportation safety.

Earlier in his career, he served as a Commissioner on the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission following unanimous confirmation by the Rhode Island Senate. In this role, he served in multiple leadership positions within the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), advancing pipeline safety priorities. His public service includes work as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Regulatory Division in Rhode Island, where he oversaw advocacy on rates, safety, and environmental matters at both the federal and state levels.

Mr. Roberti's career path exemplifies his commitment to promoting safety, reliability, and regulatory excellence in the transportation, energy and utilities industries. He received a B.A. in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross in 1987 and a law degree from Suffolk University in 1990. He is the proud father of three boys and currently resides in Rhode Island.

PHMSA Implements New Data-Driven Framework for Hazardous Materials Transportation Inspection and Enforcement Standards

On November 20, 2025, PHMSA released a first-of-its-kind memorandum outlining a new data-driven framework for OHMS outreach, inspection, and enforcement practices. These new priorities support the Department's core mission of upholding the highest safety standards.

"Safety drives everything we do. That's why, for the first time ever, PHMSA is publicly highlighting key focus areas for our inspection and enforcement teams to drive meaningful improvements in the movement of hazardous materials," said Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator Paul Roberti. "We aim to build safer communities across America through stronger compliance, enhanced partnerships, and higher safety standards for our industry."

The memo directs PHMSA hazardous material inspectors and investigators to focus on areas with the greatest potential impact on hazardous materials safety and to base their decisions on data-driven analyses. In addition to inspection and enforcement, the memo outlines priorities for outreach to regulated entities to help prevent safety violations and accidents before they occur

The OHMS inspection and enforcement priorities memo is available on PHMSA's website here. This memo mirrors a similar effort within PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety, which can be found here.

Notice of Guidance: Transporting Hazardous Materials by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

On November 19, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in conjunction with PHMSA, published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of a guidance document titled "Guidance for Transporting Hazardous Materials by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)." This guidance document was developed in response to Section 933 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, titled "Special Authority for Transport of Hazardous Materials by Commercial Package Delivery Unmanned Aircraft Systems."

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to use a risk-based approach to establish the operational requirements, standards, or special permits necessary to approve or authorize an air carrier to transport hazardous materials by UAS.

In addressing this statutory requirement, the FAA and PHMSA are providing guidance that will enable operators to methodically account for the unique risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials by UAS.

A link to the Federal Register notice announcing the guidance document can be found here: Federal Register :: Notice of Guidance: Transporting Hazardous Materials by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

A direct link to the guidance document can be found here: Guidance for Transporting Hazardous Materials by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

PHMSA Withdraws Proposed Rule: "Hazardous Materials—Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program" (HM-208J)

On November 20, 2025, PHMSA published in the Federal Register the withdrawal of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), titled "Hazardous Materials: Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program" (HM-208J), under Docket No. PHMSA-2022-0033. This rulemaking proposed to increase the registration fees imposed under the statutorily mandated registration and fee assessment program for persons who transport, or offer for transportation, certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials.

The withdrawal may be viewed in PDF form at: Guidance for Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program

The withdrawal may be viewed in long form at: Federal Register :: Hazardous Materials: Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program

67th Session of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

From November 24 to December 3, 2025, the U.S delegation, including representatives from PHMSA, FAA, and the U.S. Coast Guard, attended the 67th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. This group creates the UN Model Regulations, which set worldwide safety standards for moving hazardous materials by all types of transportation. These standards affect more than 2.3 million shipments every day in the United States.

This was the second of four meetings for the 2025–2026 cycle. During the session, the committee reviewed 86 proposals to update the UN Model Regulations. The topics discussed included increasing the amount of flammable gas allowed in non-refillable cylinders, setting exceptions for certain seedcake shipments with safe oil and moisture levels, and developing a new hazard-based classification system for lithium batteries.

Significant progress was made on these and other important issues. PHMSA looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders as these efforts move forward throughout the rest of the biennium.

The full report can be viewed at: ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (AC.10/C.3) (67th session) | UNECE

Hazardous Materials: Advancing Regulations to Support Highly Automated Transportation Systems (HM-266)

On December 4, 2025, PHMSA published in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) titled, "Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations to Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems" (HM-266).

This ANPRM seeks to obtain stakeholder input on potential revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to facilitate the safe transportation of hazardous materials using highly automated transportation systems. The comment period for this ANPRM closes on March 4, 2026.

The ANPRM may be viewed at: Federal Register :: Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations To Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems

Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion and Statement of Policy for Issuing Special Permits in Response to National Energy Emergency

On January 12, 2026, PHMSA published a notice titled "Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion and Statement of Policy for Issuing Special Permits in Response to National Energy Emergency." This notice announces a limited exercise of enforcement discretion and statement of policy for issuing special permits in response to the national energy emergency declared in Executive Order 14156.

Specifically, the Office of Pipeline Safety and the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety will refrain from taking any enforcement action against a regulated party who defers the performance of an activity that would otherwise be required under the Federal pipeline or hazardous materials safety regulations provided certain conditions are met, to include a demonstration that deferring the performance of the required activity will not create an unreasonable risk to public safety, property, or the environment.

A link to the notice is provided here: Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion and Statement of Policy for Issuing Special Permits in Response to National Energy Emergency.pdf

Hazardous Materials: Eliminating Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on Fuel Transportation (HM-265)

On January 14, 2026, PHMSA published in the Federal Register a final rule titled, "Hazardous Materials: Eliminating Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on Fuel Transportation" (HM-265). This final rule is adopting several amendments to the HMR to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens associated with the safe transportation of hazardous materials, including energy products.

The rule is expected to produce $145.3 million in annualized cost savings cost for hazardous materials transporters and will eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens on fuel transportation while maintaining or increasing the level of safety provided in the HMR. This rule is effective February 13, 2026, with a voluntary compliance date of January 14, 2026.

The final rule may be viewed at: Federal Register :: Hazardous Materials: Eliminating Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on Fuel Transportation

Recently Published: Reports on Rail Buffer Car Safety Research

The program recently published two reports on rail buffer car safety to DOT's Repository & Open Science Access Portal (ROSA-P). Though rail buffer cars have been used to protect train crews and separate them from hazardous materials, the costs, benefits, and risks of using rail buffer cars have not been extensively analyzed.

These recently published reports address this gap, providing a regulatory and literature analysis of rail buffer car separation distances and a cost/benefit break-even analysis for implementing a five-buffer rail car requirement. These reports can be read here.

Send us your research ideas!

The program values the expertise of its stakeholders in shaping the future of hazardous materials transportation safety. We are always seeking input on potential research ideas that encompass our areas of research: Efficient Safety Standards, Safe Energy Storage Technologies, Innovative Packaging, and Risk Reduction for Emergency Response.

PHMSA will use submitted research ideas to help formulate potential research projects for the program. By sharing your perspective, you play a vital role in ensuring that our research agenda reflects real-world needs and supports our mission of protecting people, property, and the environment.

Please send your ideas with the subject line "Research Idea" to HAZMATRESEARCH@dot.gov or for information on how to submit an Unsolicited Proposal check out the following link here.

Request for Comments for the 2028 Emergency Response Guidebook

PHMSA is announcing the open period for comments on the 2028 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). To pursue our objective of continually improving the ERG, PHMSA is open for comments related to new methodologies and considerations for future editions of the ERG.

Please submit any recommendations to improve the 2028 ERG to ERGComments@dot.gov. Comments must be submitted by January 1, 2027, for consideration.

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PHMSA develops compliance assistance materials that make it easier to understand and comply with the HMR. Electronic versions of these resources are available at: Publications | PHMSA.

The Hazardous Materials Information Center (HMIC) has been an essential resource for PHMSA, staffed by highly trained specialists ready to assist with the wide range of regulatory questions received each day for more than 25 years.

Operating Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, HMIC staff are well-versed in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180), as well as related federal and state requirements.

In addition to their regulatory expertise, the HMIC specialists bring strong customer service skills and professionalism to every interaction. The HMIC continues to serve both the transportation industry and the American public, playing a vital role in promoting hazardous materials safety across the United States.

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For additional information contact:

The Hazardous Materials Info Center

1.800.HMR.4922 or (1.800.467.4922)

E-mail: infocntr@dot.gov

Website: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

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