To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: Congress recently passed legislation with a reauthorization of the pipeline safety programs through 2023 as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (“PIPES Act of 2020”) directs the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) to promulgate regulations addressing a variety of pipeline safety issues. Despite these mandates, the PIPES Act of 2020 overall imposes far fewer new burdens on the pipeline industry than prior legislation. President Trump signed this legislation into law on December 27, 2020. As a result, PHMSA is now tasked to, among other things, adopt some significant requirements for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) facilities, provide for the monitoring of methane leaks by natural gas pipelines and transmission systems, adopt requirements for gathering line systems to manage safety considerations, and strengthen requirements for gas distribution systems.