The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is requesting that any hazardous liquid pipeline operator intending to transport ethanol, ethanol-gasoline blends, or other biofuels by pipeline voluntarily provide advance notice of their intent to transport the fuels, according to information published in the Federal Register.
PHMSA said it wants the voluntary advance notice to facilitate cooperation in achieving safety. "PHMSA will be interested in discussing the steps the operator will take to ensure safety during the test and informing the local emergency response officials about the product being transported," according to the notice.
PHMSA published a Federal Register document August 10, 2007, regarding the transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline (72 FR 45002). At that time, the agency advised pipeline operators that the transportation of batches of ethanol or other biofuels in an existing petroleum products pipeline, and the transportation of blends of biofuels and petroleum products, are subject to the pipeline safety regulations and standards.
The document described the potential technical issues associated with transporting biofuels by pipeline including internal corrosion and stress corrosion cracking, and the performance of seals, gaskets, and internal coatings. As with the transportation of any hazardous liquid by pipeline, operators intending to transport these new fuels are expected to conduct risk analysis, monitoring, and controls as needed to move biofuels safely as well as conduct spill response planning for the new product.