EWN Blog

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin Tightens the Screws on DIMP Risk Evaluations

Kevin Speicher — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:24:06 GMT

PHMSA just issued ADB-2026-06, an advisory bulletin reminding gas distribution operators of their existing obligations under 49 CFR Part 192, subpart P, and pushing them to sharpen how they evaluate risk. The bulletin does not create any new rules, but it does put a fine point on where PHMSA thinks distribution integrity management programs (DIMPs) are falling short: interactive threats, system degradation, and the risk models operators use to tie it all together.

PHMSA Schedules July 30 Joint GPAC/LPAC Meeting

Kevin Speicher — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:59:28 GMT

Mark the calendar. On Thursday, July 30, 2026, PHMSA is bringing the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) together for a single, virtual, all-day meeting to work through thirteen separate proposed rules. That's a large batch to tackle in one sitting and it touches nearly every corner of pipeline operations - from welding qualifications to MAOP reconfirmation to exactly when you have to make a rupture-mitigation valve operational.

EWN Compliance Leadership Forum (July 9th)

Ashley Jesko — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:31:09 GMT

Energy Worldnet (EWN) hosted the Compliance Leadership Forum (CLF)—a peer-to-peer space designed for candid, practical conversations about pipeline compliance and safety. Hosted by James Cross (Chief Experience Officer, EWN), the session brought together more than 150 years of combined experience from former state and federal regulators and industry leaders.

Meet the panel

Kevin Speicher, Senior Regulatory Advisor, EWN; former Chief of Pipeline Safety, New York State Department of Public Service
Steve Allen, former Director of Pipeline Safety, State of Indiana; longtime PSMS advocate and former EWN executive
Alan Mayberry, former PHMSA Associate Administrator, now with Jana and serving on boards focused on advanced risk and geohazards
Jeff Wiese, former PHMSA Associate Administrator; former offshore operations leader; longtime safety management advocate

The tone was clear from the start: no judgment, anonymous questions, and a focus on what operators can actually do next.

PHMSA's New Approach — 40+ Rulemakings Instead of One, and What's Actually in Them

Kevin Speicher — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:05:38 GMT

If you've been watching the PHMSA rulemaking docket lately, you may have noticed something unusual: a flood of proposed rules, all dropping around the same time. That's not an accident, and it's worth understanding what changed and why.

The Distribution Rule Advances: What Happened at the GPAC Meeting and What Comes Next

Kevin Speicher — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:39:48 GMT

PHMSA's Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), met on May 28, 2026, to work through one of the more significant rulemakings the gas distribution industry has seen in years - the Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines rule, commonly called the ‘Distribution Rule’.

Span of Control - Still a Gray Area, But Getting Clearer

Kevin Speicher — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:11:09 GMT

Span of Control - Still a Gray Area, But Getting Clearer

EWN Transmission Discussion with Former Regulators

Ashley Jesko — Wed, 27 May 2026 13:17:15 GMT

Strengthening Damage Prevention: PHMSA Pushes Operators Toward More Aggressive Excavation Risk Management

Kevin Speicher — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

EWN Compliance Leadership Forum (Feb. 18th 2026)

Ashley Jesko — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:38:37 GMT

Energy Worldnet (EWN) hosted the first-ever Compliance Leadership Forum (CLF)—a peer-to-peer space designed for candid, practical conversations about pipeline compliance and safety. Hosted by James Cross (Chief Experience Officer, EWN), the session brought together more than 150 years of combined experience from former state and federal regulators and industry leaders.

Meet the panel

Kevin Speicher, Senior Regulatory Advisor, EWN; former Chief of Pipeline Safety, New York State Department of Public Service
Steve Allen, former Director of Pipeline Safety, State of Indiana; longtime PSMS advocate and former EWN executive
Alan Mayberry, former PHMSA Associate Administrator, now with Jana and serving on boards focused on advanced risk and geohazards
Jeff Wiese, former PHMSA Associate Administrator; former offshore operations leader; longtime safety management advocate

The tone was clear from the start: no judgment, anonymous questions, and a focus on what operators can actually do next.

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin: One-Hour Incident Reporting Requirement

Kevin Speicher — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:59:43 GMT

PHMSA has issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2026-04, reminding gas pipeline, underground natural gas storage (UNGS), and LNG operators that incidents must be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at the earliest practicable moment — and no later than one hour after confirmed discovery.