The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed amendments to the federal pipeline safety regulations that are intended to ease regulatory burdens on the construction, maintenance, and operation of gas transmission, distribution, and gathering pipeline systems. 

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration withdrew a 2017 advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning vapor pressure for crude oil transported by rail; the Administration is no longer considering vapor pressure limits for the transportation of crude oil by rail or any other mode and is also no longer considering imposing vapor pressure standards for other unrefined petroleum-based products and Class 3 flammable liquid hazardous materials by any mode.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the hazardous materials regulations to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements, that harmonize the regulations with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods—Model Regulations.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration seeks comment on proposed amendments to the federal pipeline safety regulations for the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines that would revise the requirements for facility response plans, revise the definition for accidents, and consider repealing, replacing, or modifying other specific provisions; the changes would be intended to reduce regulatory burdens and improve regulatory clarity without compromising safety and environmental protection. 

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended its minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities under the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016. 

EPA added a hexabromocyclododecane category to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under EPCRA and the Pollution Prevention Act due to developmental and reproductive effects in humans and toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.