2017-00913: Hazardous Materials: Volatility of Unrefined Petroleum Products and Class 3 Materials

Summary

PHMSA is considering revising the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to establish vapor pressure limits for unrefined petroleum-based products and potentially all Class 3 flammable liquid hazardous materials that would apply during the transportation of the products or materials by any mode. PHMSA is currently assessing the merits of a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Attorney General of the State of New York regarding vapor pressure standards for the transportation of crude oil. The petition requests that PHMSA implement a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limit less than 9.0 pounds per square inch (psi) for crude oil transported by rail. PHMSA will use the comments in response to this ANPRM to help assess and respond to the petition and to evaluate any other potential regulatory actions related to sampling and testing of crude oil and other Class 3 hazardous materials. PHMSA will also evaluate the potential safety benefits and costs of utilizing vapor pressure thresholds within the hazardous materials classification process for unrefined petroleum-based products and Class 3 hazardous materials.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 8 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 49 CFR 171 General Information, Regulations, and Definitions
• 49 CFR 172 Hazardous Materials Table, Special Provisions, Hazardous Materials Communications, Emergency Response Information, Training Requirements, and Security Plans
• 49 CFR 173 Shippers—General Requirements for Shipments and Packagings
• 49 CFR 174 Carriage by Rail
• 49 CFR 177 Carriage by Public Highway
• 49 CFR 178 Specifications for Packagings
• 49 CFR 179 Specifications for Tank Cars
• 49 CFR 180 Continuing Qualification and Maintenance of Packagings