{"operation":"document","citation":"14-0003","title":"Wiley Rein LLP — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2014-03-06","effective_on":null,"summary":"14-0003 response to Wiley Rein LLP concerning 173.159, 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0003.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0003.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0003","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2014/140003.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMAR 0 6 2014\nMr. George Kerchner\nSenior Regulatory Analyst\nWiley Rein LLP\n1776 K Street, NW\nWashington, DC 20006\nRef. No. 14-0003\nDear Mr. Kerchner:\nThis responds to your January 6, 2014 email regarding the exception for wet electric storage\nbatteries specified in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) in\n§ 173 .159( e). Specifically you ask if a carrier can utilize the exception for electric storage\nbatteries in § 173.159 when the transport vehicle also contains, lithium batteries prepared in\naccordance with § 172.1 02( c), special provisions 188 of 189 or nickel metal hydride batteries\nprepared in accordance with § 172.1 02( c), special provision 130.\nThe answer is no. One of the conditions specified in § 173 .159( e) states that no other\nhazardous materials may be transported in the same vehicle. The definition of a hazardous\nmaterial does not exclude materials that meet one or more of the defining criteria but are being\ntransported under exceptions. Therefore, if the transport vehicle contains any other hazardous\nmaterials, even those excepted from all or part of the HMR (e.g., lithium batteries prepared in\naccordance with special provisions, limited quantities, materials of trade etc.), the exception in\n§ 173.159(e) does not apply.\nI hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact this office.\nSincerely,\n-~:.:: ~~'Lt /l ·rr~-- _,~J\nInternational Standards Coordinator\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nlJrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFrom:\nSent:\nTo:\nSubject: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nMonday, January 06, 2014 3:22PM\nBet +Jeri-e.:;\nI Lf -OOD3\nDrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFW: Request for Interpretation: 49 CFR 173.159(e) and Special Provisions 188 and 189 and\nSpecial Provision 130\nFrom: Kerchner, George [mailto:GKerchner@wileyrein.com]\nSent: Monday, January 06, 2014 10:36 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for Interpretation: 49 CFR 173.159(e) and Special Provisions 188 and 189 and Special Provision 130\nJanuary 6, 2014\nU.S. DOT\nPHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nAttn: PHH-10\nEast Building\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nRe: Request for Interpretation on 49 CFR 173.159(e) and Special Provisions 188 and 189 and Special Provision\n130\nI am writing to request a letter of interpretation on the following scenario: May a vehicle transporting lead\nbatteries (UN2794) under the exception found at 49 CFR 173.159(e) still take advantage of this exception if it\nalso contains the following batteries:\n1. 2. Lithium batteries (UN3090 or UN3091) packaged in accordance with Special Provisions 188 and 189; or\nBatteries, nickel metal hydride (UN3496) packaged in accordance with Special Provision 130?\n49 CFR 173.159( e) provides an exception from the HMR for lead batteries that are transported by highway and\nrail provided the four requirements under 173.159(e) are met. The first requirement under 49 CFR 173.159(e)\nstates \"No other hazardous materials may be transported in the same vehicle;\" See 49 CFR\n1 73.15 9( e )(1). (Emphasis added.)\nLithium batteries packaged and offered for transportation in accordance with Special Provisions 188 and 189 are\nnot declared or shipped as fully-regulated hazardous materials and are not subject to any other requirements of\nthe HMR. Nickel metal hydride batteries are only regulated as hazardous materials when transported by sea and\nthus are excepted from the HMR when packaged in accordance with Special Provision 130. Therefore, it would\nappear in the two scenarios above that these batteries could in fact be transported on the same vehicle with lead\nbatteries (UN2794) that are being transported under the exception found at 49 CFR 173.159(e).\nThank you for your assistance.\nSincerely,\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nGeorge A. Kerchner I Senior Regulatory Analyst I Wiley Rein LLP 11776 K Street NW I Washington, DC 20006\n(Tel) 202.719.4109 I (Fax) 202.719.7049 I GKerchner@wileyrein.com\nNOTICE: This message (including any attachments) from Wiley Rein LLP may constitute an attorney-client\ncommunication and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL and/or ATTORNEY\nWORK PRODUCT. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination ofthis\nmessage is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please do not read, copy or forward this\nmessage. Please permanently delete all copies and any attachments and notify the sender immediately by sending\nan e-mail to Information@wileyrein.com. As part of our environmental efforts, the firm is WILEY GREEN<TMl.\nPlease consider the environment before printing this email.\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":4803}