Public Utility Commission seeks comment on proposed pipeline safety regulations, financial reporting requirements

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The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is seeking comment on two separate rulemaking proposals to update safety regulations and require additional financial reporting.

The PUC voted 5-0 to seek broad-based public input on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Order (ANOPR) to help guide discussions regarding potential changes to Commission safety regulations “to more comprehensively regulate the design, construction, operations and maintenance of public utilities transporting petroleum products and other hazardous liquids under the jurisdiction of the Commission.”

The ANOPR notes that Pennsylvania has adopted the minimum Federal pipeline safety standards as part of participation in safety programs administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) but adds that states may pass stricter regulations.

The Commission also voted 5-0 to seek comment on a separate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR), which proposes that crude oil, gasoline, and petroleum products transportation pipeline public utilities be required to file annual depreciation reports, service life study reports and capital investment plan reports.

Currently, those reporting requirements only apply to electric service, gas service, and water service public utilities.