Pipeline Safety: Adjust Annual Report Deadlines

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) opposes the proposed rule to extend annual reporting deadlines for gas pipelines and other facilities from March 15 to June 15. They argue that timely data is essential for public safety, government oversight, and emergency response, and that the proposed delay is an unjustified deregulatory measure that favors industry costs over public transparency.

The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR), representing state agency pipeline safety managers, opposes the proposed extension of annual report deadlines. They argue that the current March 15 deadline is not an excessive burden on operators and that delaying the reports to June 15 would hinder state programs' ability to use timely data for inspection planning and safety oversight.

Southwest Gas Corporation, a natural gas local distribution company, supports the proposed rule to extend the deadline for annual reports and NPMS information submission from March 15 to June 15. They specifically endorse the joint comments submitted by the American Gas Association (AGA) and the American Public Gas Association (APGA).

The GPA Midstream Association and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America support the proposed extension of annual report and National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) submission deadlines from March 15 to June 15. They argue that the change is consistent with existing deadlines for other pipeline types, reduces burdensome compliance costs, and ensures consistency between interconnected reporting processes without increasing safety risks.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), a trade association representing the refining and petrochemical manufacturing sector, supports the proposal to extend the annual report deadline for gas pipelines to June 15. They argue that the extension will improve data accuracy, reduce administrative burdens, and harmonize reporting timelines across different pipeline types.

The Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit watchdog organization, opposes the proposed extension of annual report deadlines for gas pipelines. They argue that the information reported (such as failures and leaks) contains time-sensitive safety data that serves as a leading indicator for systemic problems, and they contend that PHMSA has failed to provide a reasoned justification for choosing a later deadline.

The American Gas Association and the American Public Gas Association support the proposed rule to extend annual reporting and NPMS information submission deadlines from March 15 to June 15. They argue that the current deadlines create an undue regulatory burden and that the extension will allow operators to reallocate resources toward safety-enhancing activities without compromising safety outcomes.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), representing a trade association of propane industry companies, supports the proposed rule to harmonize reporting for various pipeline types. They specifically endorse the extension of the deadline for submitting geospatial information to improve data quality and cost control.