On July 24, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published an invitation to comment on a preemption application submitted by the States of North Dakota and Montana.  The States’ application asks PHMSA to override vapor pressure limits for crude by rail imposed by the State of Washington.  New Washington law, which became effective on July 28, 2019, prohibits loading or unloading crude oil from a rail car unless the vapor pressure is lower than nine pounds per square inch.  The law also requires facilities receiving crude by rail to provide “advance notice” of the “type” and “vapor pressure” of the crude.  According to North Dakota and Montana, the new law effectively targets Bakken crude—thought by some to be more volatile—and should be preempted by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, which PHMSA administers.
Continue Reading Vapor Pressure Remains a Volatile Topic