PHMSA is continuing to monitor and respond to the effects of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake near Anchorage, Alaska to understand its potential effects on hazardous materials and pipeline operations.  This webpage provides critical information regarding PHMSA's pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs, which will assist in any necessary response and relief efforts. 

Pipeline Operations

On December 1, 2018, PHMSA issued an Emergency Stay of Enforcement for pipeline and liquefied natural gas facility operators dealing with limited resources in Alaska due to the earthquake.  The document provides temporary relief from certain federal pipeline safety regulations, including compliance with operator qualification requirements, but does not relieve operators of their safety responsibility to use trained, non-impaired workers to perform operation and maintenance tasks. 

Emergency Waivers

In support of actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, PHMSA issued an Emergency Waiver Order on December 2, 2018, to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a threat to public health, welfare, or the environment caused by actual or potential oil and hazardous materials incidents resulting from the Alaska earthquake.

See the related links section to the right of this page for more details about PHMSA’s actions to assist in relief and recovery efforts for the Alaska earthquake.