{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA-2025-0013","title":"Algonquin Gas Transmission — Pipeline Special Permit","source_type":"permit","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"current","official":true,"published_on":"2026-03-12","effective_on":"2026-03-12","summary":"PHMSA-2025-0013, issued 2026-03-12 for Algonquin Gas Transmission's gas transmission system.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-special-permit-phmsa-2025-0013.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-special-permit-phmsa-2025-0013.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-special-permit-phmsa-2025-0013","source_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docket/PHMSA-2025-0013","body":"PHMSA pipeline special permit PHMSA-2025-0013. Operator: Algonquin Gas Transmission. System: Gas Transmission. Issue date: 2026-03-12.\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION\nSpecial Permit Analysis and Findings\nComposite Pipe\nSpecial Permit Information:\nDocket Number: PHMSA-2025-0013\nRequested By: Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC\nOperator ID#: 00288\nOriginal Date Requested: December 13, 2024\nOriginal Issuance Date: March 12, 2026\nCode Section(s): 49 CFR §§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149, 192.150,\n192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714\nPurpose:\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety\n(OPS),\n1 provides this information to describe the facts of the subject special permit application\nsubmitted by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (AGT)2 to discuss any relevant public comments\nreceived with respect to the application, to present the engineering and safety analysis of the special\npermit application, and to make findings regarding whether the requested special permit should be\ngranted and, if so, under what conditions.\nPipeline System Affected:\nOn December 13, 2024, AGT applied for a special permit that would, in conjunction with enhanced\nintegrity management practices, waive 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 192.53(c), 192.121,\n192.144, 192.149, 192.150, 192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714 for approximately 0.95 miles\n(5,040 feet) of 10.75 -inch diameter gas transmission pipeline named Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN in\nHartford County, Connecticut.\nSpecial Permit Request:\nAGT’s special permit application specifically requested a waiver of 49 CFR §§ 192.53(c), 192.121,\n192.144, 192.149, 192.150, 192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714 as applicable to 0.95 miles of\npipe, comprising one pipeline special permit segment (SPS). Without this special permit, the\napplicable regulations would require AGT to inspect the existing steel pipeline segment for defects\n1 Throughout this special permit the usage of “PHMSA” or “PHMSA OPS” means the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration Office of Pipeline Safety.\n2 AGT is owned by affiliates of Enbridge, Inc.\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit Analysis and Findings – Connecticut\nPage 1 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nusing in-line inspection (ILI) tools and the segment would be subject to maximum allowable operating\npressure (MAOP) reconfirmation under 49 CFR § 192.624 assessment requirements for Class 3\nlocations. As the existing steel pipeline segment is currently non-piggable—meaning the segment\ncannot be inspected for defects using conventional ILI tools—AGT applied for this special permit to\nallow them to insert Smartpipe3 into the existing steel pipeline, as opposed to repairing or replacing the\npipe. As part of the application, AGT proposed to implement enhanced integrity management practices\nto provide an equivalent or better level of safety.\nDescription and definition of the SPS and the pipeline specifications are detailed in “2025-0013 - AGT\nSP Application and Att A&B.\n”\nPublic Notice:\nOn January 26, 2026, PHMSA posted a notice of this special permit request in the Federal Register\n(91 FR 3302) with a closing date of February 25, 2026. The AGT special permit application letter,\nFederal Register notice, environmental assessment, and all other pertinent documents are available for\nreview in Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0013 in the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) located\nat www.regulations.gov.\nPHMSA reviewed all public comments received for Docket Number PHMSA-2025-0013 through\nFebruary 26, 2026. PHMSA received three public comment responses concerning this special permit\nrequest. Specific citations from the Federal pipeline safety regulations referenced throughout\nPHMSA’s responses to the public comments and are accessible online at eCFR: 49 CFR Chapter I\nSubchapter D – Pipeline Safety.\n4\nOne anonymous commenter submitted a public comment response. The Pipeline Safety Trust (PST)\nand the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) also submitted comments. PHMSA’s responses to each\nrelevant comment are as follows.\nSummary of Public Comments:\nThe commenters generally posed questions and concerns regarding the special permit application.\nPST’s comment generally provided questions about the circumstances and need for the permit, as well\nas the appropriateness of alternative conditions and the protective nature of the conditions in the permit.\nThe purpose and unique circumstances of the special permit are described in AGT’s application\nincluded in the public notice. The special permit segment does not have the infrastructure to launch or\nreceive ILI tools, and the special permit would enable AGT to address the MAOP reconfirmation\napplicability of the segment while reducing corrosion to the existing pipe, providing additional\nprotection against third-party damage, and avoiding the environmental impact of pipe replacement.\nThe special permit conditions include—among other safety measures—implementation of the\nmanufacturer’s manuals and recommendations (section II), a hydrostatic pressure test (condition 1), and\nthe use of integrity management for the special permit segment (condition 2(a)). The application of\nintegrity management requirements to the special permit segment provides additional measures to\n3 Smartpipe is a type of flexible reinforced thermoplastic pipe that is not authorized for use in regulated gas transmission pipelines under 49 CFR Part 192.\n4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-D\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit Analysis and Findings – Connecticut\nPage 2 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nensure pipeline safety for the surrounding community. AGT’s integrity management approach,\ndescribed in the Anticipated Integrity Management Overview document in the public notice, includes\nthe anticipated use of continuous fiber optic monitoring for detecting leaks, temperature changes, and\nother integrity concerns to the special permit segment. The fiber optic network would be integrated\ninto AGT’s supervisory control and data acquisition system. AGT’s overview, as well as the special\npermit conditions, also include long-term integrity assessments using direct assessment pipeline\nsegments or equivalent measures. While AGT’s integrity management approach may be subject to\nchange, the incorporation of the special permit segment into AGT’s integrity management program\nensures PHMSA oversight and authority to ensure that integrity risks are addressed in accordance with\napplicable regulations. While the special permit contains fewer conditions than prior permits issued,\nPHMSA has endeavored to streamline its special permit process to focus on conditions that ensure that\nthe special permit is consistent with pipeline safety while omitting other conditions, such as those\nwhich are duplicative of existing regulatory requirements. As a result, the special permit conditions\nprovide an equivalent level of safety to compliance with the regulations.\nPST also inquired about the proposed effective dates of the special permit. While the effective date is\nunknown until PHMSA makes a final decision on an application, section III (7) of the draft special\npermit conditions included a special permit term of 15 years from issuance.\nPST also observed that the Docket contained a document titled, “Conditions: Final Approved 1/16”\nand questioned whether the special permit has already been approved. The file name in question was a\ndrafting artifact, and the draft special permit conditions were publicly noticed prior to PHMSA’s final\ndecision on the application in accordance with 49 CFR § 190.341.\nLastly, both PST and EDF referenced the Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion and Statement of\nPolicy for Issuing Special Permits in Response to National Energy Emergency issued by PHMSA on\nJanuary 12, 2026. AGT did not request that PHMSA consider its application in accordance with that\nNotice.\nAnalysis:\nBackground: Special permits may be granted upon request if unique circumstances make the\napplicability of a regulation or standard unnecessary or inappropriate for an applicant’s pipeline\nfacility. Special permits will only be granted when the pipeline and the proposed special permit\nconditions will provide a level of safety greater than or equal to the code requirements. The operator’s\nFederal pipeline safety regulation compliance and incident history are also evaluated prior to issuance\nof a special permit.\nPHMSA reviewed this special permit request to understand the known type of integrity threats that are\nin the SPS. This integrity information informed the special permit conditions, which ensure that the\noperator has an ongoing program to locate and remediate safety threats.\nEnforcement History: In the last 5 years, PHMSA has taken two enforcement actions against AGT.\n5\nPHMSA’s review of the enforcement history for AGT does not indicate that granting the special permit\nwould be inconsistent with pipeline safety. The enforcement data and reports used in the course of\n5 See Federal Enforcement Data: AGT, PHMSA, https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/operator/288.\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit Analysis and Findings – Connecticut\nPage 3 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nPHMSA’s review are publicly available on PHMSA’s Enforcement Transparency website. The review\nincluded the enforcement history for AGT for the preceding 5-year period, which is also publicly\navailable on PHMSA’s website.\nIncident History: In the last 5 years, AGT reported zero incidents.\n6 PHMSA’s review of the incident\nhistory for AGT does not indicate that the granting of the special permit would be inconsistent with\npipeline safety. The incident data used in the course of PHMSA’s review are publicly available on\nPHMSA’s Data Mart website.\nFindings:\nBased on the information submitted by AGT and PHMSA’s review of the documentation, PHMSA\nfinds that granting this special permit with conditions that waives the requirements of 49 CFR\n§§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149, 192.150, 192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714 for\nAGT’s Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN pipeline SPS is not inconsistent with pipeline safety. This special\npermit requires AGT to implement the special permit conditions that include applying integrity\nmanagement practices to the SPS.\n6 To view this data, go to https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/data-and-statistics/pipeline/operator-information click on Operator Search link to search for\nAlgonquin Gas Transmission, LLC and click on the “Incidents” tab.\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit Analysis and Findings – Connecticut\nPage 4 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nMarch 12, 2026\nPeter Seydewitz\nDirector, Operational Excellence\nAlgonquin Gas Transmission, LLC\n915 N. Eldridge Parkway Ste 1100\nHouston, TX 77079\nRe: Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0013\nSpecial Permit Dates: March 12, 2026, to March 12, 2041\nDear Mr. Seydewitz:\nOn December 13, 2024, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (AGT), an entity owned by affiliates\nof Enbridge, Inc., applied to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA) for a special permit pursuant to 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 190.341. In\nits application, AGT asked PHMSA to waive certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety\nregulations in 49 CFR Part 192 to allow Smartpipe1 to be inserted into an existing gas\ntransmission pipeline segment in Hartford County, Connecticut, known as Line R-1 RSYS-\nEOLN. AGT proposed to implement enhanced integrity management practices to provide an\nequivalent or superior level of safety if PHMSA granted the application.\nPHMSA has reviewed the public comments and other information in the record and is issuing the\nenclosed special permit to AGT.2 The special permit waives the requirements in 49 CFR §§\n192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149, 192.150, 192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714 for\nthe Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN gas transmission pipeline segment and requires AGT to comply with\nconditions and limitations designed to maintain an equivalent level of pipeline safety.\nPlease be advised that the special permit is subject to the requirements in 49 CFR § 190.341(j). If\nAGT elects not to implement the special permit conditions, AGT must notify PHMSA within 60\ndays and comply with 49 CFR § 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149, 192.150, 192.619(a),\n192.624, 192.710, and 192.714 within 18 months of the date of this letter.\n1 Smartpipe is a type of flexible reinforced thermoplastic pipe that is not authorized for use in regulated gas transmission pipelines under 49 CFR\nPart 192.\n2 The special permit request letter, environmental assessment, special permit analysis and findings, and all other pertinent documents for this\nspecial permit addressing public comments are available in Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0013 in the Federal Docket Management System located\nat www.regulations.gov. https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=PHMSA-2025-0013.\nSpecial Permit: PHMSA-2025-0013\nLetter of Decision – Composite Pipe – Connecticut Page 1 of 2\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nMy staff would be pleased to discuss this special permit or any other regulatory matter with you.\nAny technical questions regarding this special permit should be directed to Max Kieba, Director,\nPHMSA, Engineering and Research Division, who may be contacted at 202-420-9169. Please\ndirect any questions related to operational matters to Robert Burrough, Director of PHMSA\nEastern Region, who may be contacted at 609-771-7809.\nSincerely,\nLINDA GAIL\nDAUGHERTY\nDigitally signed by LINDA\nGAIL DAUGHERTY\nDate: 2026.03.12 09:31:01\n-04'00'\nLinda Daugherty\nActing Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety\nEnclosure: Special Permit – PHMSA-2025-0013\nSpecial Permit: PHMSA-2025-0013\nLetter of Decision – Composite Pipe – Connecticut Page 2 of 2\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY\nADMINISTRATION\nSPECIAL PERMIT – Usage of Composite Pipe\nSpecial Permit Information:\nDocket Number: PHMSA-2025-0013\nRequested By: Operator ID#: 00288\nOriginal Date Requested: Original Issuance Date: Effective Dates: Code Section(s): Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC\nDecember 13, 2024\nMarch 12, 2026\nMarch 12, 2026 to March 12, 2041\n49 CFR §§ 192.53(c), 192.121, 192.144, 192.149, 192.150,\n192.619(a), 192.624, 192.710, and 192.714\nProposed Grant of Special Permit:\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline\nSafety (OPS),1 grants this special permit to Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (AGT or\nOperator),2 authorizing the use of Smartpipe3 on approximately 0.95 miles (5,040 feet) of the\nLine R-1 RSYS-EOLN in Hartford County, Connecticut. Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN is a non-\npiggable, 10.75-inch diameter steel gas transmission pipeline installed in 1967.\nI. Purpose and Need\nThe maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN is currently\n750 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). This special permit allows AGT to maintain that\nMAOP by waiving certain requirements in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192 and\nauthorizing the use of Smartpipe on the portion of Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN that extends from\nmilepost (MP) 0.00 to MP 0.95.4 The specific requirements that are waived include 49 CFR §§\n192.53(c), General; 192.121, Design of plastic pipe; 192.144, Qualifying metallic components;\n192.149, Standard fittings; 192.150, Passage of internal inspection devices; 192.619(a),\nMaximum allowable operating pressure: Steel or plastic pipelines; 192.624, Maximum\n1Throughout this special permit, the usage of “PHMSA” or “PHMSA OPS” means the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and\nHazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety.\n2 AGT is owned by affiliates of Enbridge, Inc.\n3 Smartpipe is a type of flexible reinforced thermoplastic pipe that is not authorized for use in regulated gas transmission pipelines under 49 CFR\nPart 192.\n4 The potential impact radius (PIR) for Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN is 204 feet and would not be increased if this special permit is granted. Five\ndwelling units are currently located within the PIR.\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit – Composite Pipe – Connecticut\nPage 1 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nallowable operating pressure reconfirmation; 192.710, Transmission lines: Assessments outside\nof high consequence areas; and 192.714, Transmission lines: Repair criteria for onshore\ntransmission pipelines.\nFor purposes of this special permit, the term special permit segment (SPS) is defined as the\ncomposite pipe, fittings, monitoring devices, and related facilities that AGT is authorized to\ninstall on Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN from MP 0.00 to MP 0.95 subject to the conditions and\nlimitations specified below. The request submitted by AGT and supporting documents can be\nfound at Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0013 in the Federal Docket Management System located at\nwww.regulations.gov.\nII. Conditions\nPHMSA grants this special permit subject to 49 CFR Part 191, 49 CFR Part 192, the Operator’s\nimplementation of American Petroleum Institute (API) 15S Second Edition, manufacturer’s\nmanuals and recommendations, and the following conditions.5\n1) Design Factor and Pressure Test: Operate the SPS at or below an MAOP of 750 psig and\na design factor of 0.449. Hydrostatically test all SPS pipe, connections, and appurtenances\nfor a minimum of 12 hours at a minimum of 1.5 times the MAOP of the SPS consistent\nwith the requirements of 49 CFR § 192.619 for pipe in a Class 3 location. This is not\nintended to require hydrostatic testing of casing pipe that is only designed to contain\nannular gases at well below the MAOP of the SPS.\n2) Procedures:\na) 3) Integrity Management: Incorporate the SPS into the Operator’s procedures as a “covered\nsegment.” Not later than 60 days prior to construction, the Operator must develop all\nmanuals, procedures, and specifications pertaining to the SPS unless otherwise specified\nbelow.\nb) Construction and Operator Qualifications:\ni) Develop procedures and implement an operator qualification (OQ) plan no less than\n30 days prior to construction. The plan must specifically address composite pipe\nconstruction and operations and maintenance activities.\nThe composite pipe shall be installed in one continuous section and must be\nconstructed by OQ qualified Smartpipe Company, Inc., and AGT personnel.\niii) Treat all SPS construction tasks as “covered tasks.”\nGeneral Requirements: Ensure that there is no tapping, branch fittings, or splitting of the\nSPS composite pipe, except as required for repair.\nii) 5 AGT must provide the Director of PHMSA Eastern Region with all information and documentation specified in this special permit, including\nwhen notification is required to PHMSA. If the specified PHMSA Region assignment changes, AGT will be notified to which Region they\nshould direct their correspondence.\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit – Composite Pipe – Connecticut\nPage 2 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\na) b) b) c) ii) In the event of a product recall or material defect pertaining to the composite pipe and\nend fitting products used in the SPS, the Operator will provide notification to PHMSA\nwithin 24 hours for discussion of mitigation.\nPipe Damage: During the insertion process, the force on the composite pipe shall be\nmonitored by use of a calibrated dynamometer, calibrated within 6 months of use. The\nmaximum tensile force shall be limited to 73,000 pounds force.\n4) Materials and Testing Requirements:\na) The SPS high-density polyethylene PE4710 inner layer must be manufactured from\nnatural gas pipe grade material.\nThe SPS must not contain any regrind or rework material.\nTest reinforcement materials in accordance with API 15S Second Edition, and\nASTM D5035.\nd) Perform long-term integrity assessments:\ni) Install seven or more segments in such a way that it simulates the condition of the\nSPS in the immediate vicinity of the operating pipeline at MP 0.95, on or near\nOperator property (direct assessment segments).\nSchedule and perform seven post-construction inspections at 12 months, 36 months,\n60 months, 84 months, 108 months, 132 months, and 156 months after the completion\nof construction on direct assessment segments, with each inspection interval not\nexceeded by more than 90 days, and with focus on the composition and degradation\nof the pipe material through non-destructive and destructive testing. Destructive\ntesting on direct assessment segments must include a hydrotest to burst pressure.\niii) The Operator may propose to implement alternative provisions in the Smartpipe\nintegrity management program for the SPS by written request to PHMSA, and with\nwritten approval by PHMSA prior to use.\n5) Communication and Records:\nDesign and Material Review: Notify and make available all design calculations,\nmaterials reviews, and certifications—including engineering assessments, processes, and\ncalculations—used to establish the composite pipe MAOP 30 days prior to operating the\npipeline.\nConstruction Start: At least 60 days prior to construction, provide notification of the\ndate, time, and location of pipeline installation and provide PHMSA an opportunity to\nwitness the installation.\nIII. Limitations\nThis special permit is subject to the limitations set forth in 49 CFR § 190.341, as well as the\nfollowing limitations:\na) b) PHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit – Composite Pipe – Connecticut\nPage 3 of 4\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\n1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) PHMSA has the sole authority to make all determinations on whether the Operator has\ncomplied with the specified conditions of this special permit. Failure to comply with any\ncondition may result in revocation of the special permit.\nAny procedures, plans, and associated schedules for the Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN SPS are\nautomatically incorporated into this special permit and are enforceable in the same manner.\nFailure by the Operator to submit the certifications required for this SPS within the time\nframes specified may result in revocation of this special permit.\nThis special permit is not applicable to Class 4 locations.\nAs provided in 49 CFR § 190.341, PHMSA may issue an enforcement action for failure to\ncomply with this special permit. The terms and conditions of any order issued by PHMSA\napplicable to a pipeline facility covered by this special permit will take precedence over the\nterms of this special permit.\nIf the Operator sells, merges, transfers, or otherwise disposes of all or part of the assets\nknown as the Line R-1 RSYS-EOLN pipeline in the SPS, the Operator must provide\nwritten notice of the change within 30 days of the consummation date.\nPHMSA grants this special permit to limit it to a term of no more than 15 years from the\ndate of issuance.\nPHMSA reserves the right to revoke, suspend, or modify the special permit if a material\nchange occurs in conditions or circumstances underlying the permit.\nAUTHORITY: 49 U.S. Code 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR § 1.97.\nIssued in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2026.\nLINDA GAIL\nDigitally signed by LINDA GAIL\nDAUGHERTY\nDAUGHERTY\nDate: 2026.03.12 09:44:01 -04'00'\nLinda Daugherty,\nActing Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety\nPHMSA-2025-0013 – Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Special Permit – Composite Pipe – Connecticut\nPage 4 of 4","truncated":false,"body_characters":23559}