G/TBT/N/USA/1387/Add.1  
 
16 October 2020  
(20-7148) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  15 October 2020 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title: Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[  ] Comment period changed - date:   
[  ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[  ] Notified measure published - date:  
[  ] Notified measure enters into force - date:  
[  ] Text of final measure available from1:  
[  ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[  ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[  ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[X] Other: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-10-14/html/2020 -19872.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-10-14/pdf/2020 -19872.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/TBT/USA/20_6163_00_e.pdf  
 
Description:  AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT  
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)  
SUMMARY: In response to public input received as part of the rulemaking process, PHMSA is 
proposing to revise the Federal Pipeline Saf ety Regulations to amend the requirements for gas 
transmission pipeline segments that experience a change in class location. Under the existing 
regulations, pipeline segments located in areas where the population density has significantly 
increased must pe rform one of the following actions: Reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment, 
pressure test the pipeline segment to higher standards, or replace the pipeline segment. This 
proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators could use, b ased on 
implementing integrity management principles and pipe eligibility criteria, to manage certain pipeline 
segments where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class 3 location. Through 
required periodic assessments, repair criter ia, and other extra preventive and mitigative measures, 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/1387/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  PHMSA expects this alternative approach would provide long -term safety benefits consistent with 
the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing cost savings for pipeline operators.  
DATES: Persons interested in submitting written comments on this proposed rule must do so 
by 14 December 2020. Late -filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.  
This notice of proposed rulemaking and the advanced notice of proposed rulemaki ng notified as 
G/TBT/N/USA/1387  are identified by Docket Number PHMSA -2017-0151. The Docket Folder is 
available at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=PHMSA -2017-0151 and provides access to 
primary and supportin g documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible 
from Regulations.gov  by searching the Docket Number. WTO Members and their stakeholders are 
asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point . Comments received by the USA TBT 
Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with the regulator and will 
also be submitted to the Docket  on Regulations.gov  if received within the comment period.  
__________