T&I Committee Republicans oppose rollback of LNG-by-rail rule

Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) have informed the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of their “serious concerns” regarding the Biden administration’s proposal to suspend authorization of the bulk transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail.

In a letter sent last month to PHMSA Acting Administrator Tristan Brown, the Republican members said “LNG has a proven safety record, is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel option, and contributes to "energy independence for the United States and its allies."

"As our country faces significant supply-chain issues and rising energy prices, we should be incentivizing critical infrastructure that can provide additional capacity to the Nation’s ability to safely transport energy and ease some of these challenges," the lawmakers wrote. "Yet, the rollback of this rule once again places additional regulatory burdens to stifle key transportation infrastructure."

PHMSA on Nov. 8, 2021, published a proposed rulemaking to rescind a final rule issued July 24, 2020, that authorized the bulk transportation of LNG by specification rail tank cars. Prior to the final rule, the only ways to transport LNG were by special permit issued by PHMSA for freight shipment, or by highway on large tanker trucks, the lawmakers noted.

"No evidence exists for PHMSA to reasonably conclude that the 2020 rule should be changed so soon after taking effect, and therefore this newly proposed rule is arbitrary, capricious and unwarranted," their letter stated.

To read the lawmakers' entire letter, click here.