<RULE>
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
<SUBAGY>Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration</SUBAGY>
<CFR>49 CFR Part 192</CFR>
<DEPDOC>[Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0120]</DEPDOC>
<RIN>RIN 2137-AF88</RIN>
<SUBJECT>Pipeline Safety: Standards Update—API RP 1170 and API RP 1171</SUBJECT>
<HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD>
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
<HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD>
Direct final rule (DFR); confirmation of effective date.
<SUM>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD>
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for the DFR that appeared in the
<E T="04">Federal Register</E>
on July 1, 2025. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standards American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practice (RP) 1170, “Design and Operation of Solution-mined Salt Caverns Used for Natural Gas Storage,” and API RP 1171, “Functional Integrity of Natural Gas Storage in Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs and Aquifer Reservoirs.”
</SUM>
<EFFDATE>
<HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD>
PHMSA confirms the effective date of January 1, 2026, for the DFR that appeared in the
<E T="04">Federal Register</E>
on July 1, 2025 (90 FR 28086).
</EFFDATE>
<FURINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD>
Brianna Wilson, Transportation Specialist, by phone at 771-215-0969 or email at
<E T="03">brianna.wilson@dot.gov.</E>
</FURINF>
<SUPLINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD>
On July 1, 2025 (90 FR 28086), PHMSA published a DFR amending its regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the second editions of API RPs 1170 (“Design and Operation of Solution-mined Salt Caverns Used for Natural Gas Storage”) and 1171 (“Functional Integrity of Natural Gas Storage in
Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs and Aquifer Reservoirs”). Reference to the second edition of API RP 1170 will replace existing references within sections 192.7 and 192.12 to API Recommended Practice 1170, “Design and Operation of Solution-mined Salt Caverns Used for Natural Gas Storage,” First edition, July 2015. Reference to the second edition of API RP 1171 will replace existing references within sections 192.7 and 192.12 to API Recommended Practice 1171, “Functional Integrity of Natural Gas Storage in Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs and Aquifer Reservoirs,” First edition, September 2015.
PHMSA issued the DFR under the procedures set forth at 49 CFR 190.339. In accordance with those provisions, PHMSA stated in the DFR that if no adverse comments were received, the DFR would become final and effective on January 1, 2026. PHMSA did not receive any comments that warranted withdrawal of the DFR; therefore, this rule will become effective as scheduled.
<SIG>
<DATED>Issued in Washington, DC, on September 30, 2025, under the authority designated in 49 CFR 1.97.</DATED>
<NAME>Benjamin D. Kochman,</NAME>
Deputy Administrator.
</SIG>
</SUPLINF>
<FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-19340 Filed 10-1-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC>
</RULE>
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