GPA Midstream statement regarding PHMSA's pre-published leak detection and repair (LDAR) rule

GPA Midstream is disappointed with the pre-published rule that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released today. The leak detection and repair (LDAR) final rule, if published in the Federal Register, would add burdensome requirements to midstream operators with minimal benefits to pipeline safety.

GPA Midstream members are proactively focused on finding and fixing leaks that may occur in their operations and support rules that will cost-effectively improve safety. GPA Midstream staff and members have engaged PHMSA at every step of the LDAR rulemaking process, from proposal to this pre-publication. Unfortunately, this pre-published version does not address our practical and technical concerns raised throughout the rulemaking process.

Since this rule is yet to be published in the Federal Register, GPA Midstream looks forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to finalize a rule that aligns with the direction Congress gave to PHMSA in the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020 and achieves sensible policies that ensure pipeline safety.

Go deeper:

• Trade Coalition comments on PHMSA's proposed LDAR rule ‍
• Gas Gathering Industry Comments to PHMSA's LDAR proposal

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