Judging from Ed Mazzullo's review of PHMSA regulatory activity that appears in this issue (p. 10), 2011 was a very active year for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The year 2012 promises to be an equally busy year for both PHMSA and the regulated community with key dockets still pending for final action. Among these, the lithium battery rule (expect another NPRJV1 in May 2012), combination packaging for air transportation, wetlines, bulk loading and unloading, incorporation of rail permits, and compatibility with the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are among the most significant areas that PHMSA is expected to act on in 2012. PHMSA issued an ANPRM in April 2010 that addressed the issue of harmonization of domestic regulations with international standards. Previously, an NPRM had been scheduled for 01/23/2012, but this action has now been placed on hold indefinitely.
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