PHMSA extends comment period on ASME Section XII

March 2, 2011
Companies and individuals are getting more time to comment on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration proposal to let the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors write federal cargo tank regulations in the future. The comment period has been extended from March 23 to May 23

Companies and individuals are getting more time to comment on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration proposal to let the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors write federal cargo tank regulations in the future. The comment period has been extended from March 23 to May 23.

PHMSA also announced temporary public availability of electronic versions of the ASME’s Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XII (2010 Edition) and the National Board Inspection Code (2007 Edition). The documents can be accessed for public review at PHMSA's Web site: http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat.

Commenting on the latest PHMSA action, National Tank Truck Carriers President John Conley said: “We are pleased that PHMSA has extended the comment period on this very important proposal which, if implemented, would have a negative impact on tank truck hazardous materials transportation safety. The fact that ASME and the National Board have made their copyrighted materials available only for comparison purposes during the comment period shows how desperate they are to eventually convince PHMSA to mandate their expensive publications that are developed in a basically closed process. This extension and limited access to the materials is akin to giving a menu to a starving man. We all must continue to fight to maintain the existing access to cargo tank regulations and the regulatory process for the regulated and law enforcement communities. This is a break in the battle, but the fight for free access to regulations and process has just begun.”

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