Home / Agencies / DOT / 2026-10969
Proposed Rule

Pipeline Safety: Breakout Tank Inspection Rule

Agency
DOT
Document Number
2026-10969
Published
June 2, 2026
Effective Date
-

Abstract

Breakout tanks are used to "relieve surges in a hazardous liquid pipeline system" or to "receive and store hazardous liquid transported by a pipeline for reinjection and continued transportation by pipeline." American Petroleum Institute Standard 653 (API Std 653) sets industry standards for the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of aboveground storage tanks. PHMSA currently incorporates the 3rd edition of API Std 653 (issued December 2001) by reference into its regulations for breakout tanks. In this rulemaking, PHMSA is proposing to update its regulations for breakout tanks to incorporate the 5th edition of API Std 653 (issued November 2014) by reference. As a key part of this, PHMSA is proposing to authorize the use of risk-based inspection (RBI) procedures for establishing the inspection intervals of in-service breakout tanks.

Federal Register Source

This document is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. Access the full regulatory text, preamble, and docket comments below.

View Full Text on FederalRegister.gov →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026-10969 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-10969 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Transportation in the Federal Register on June 2, 2026. Breakout tanks are used to "relieve surges in a hazardous liquid pipeline system" or to "receive and store hazardous liquid transported by a pipeline for reinjection and continued transportation by pipeline." American Petroleum Institute Standard 653 (API Std 653) sets industry standards for the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of aboveground storage tanks. PHMSA currently incorporates the 3rd edition of API Std 653 (issued December 2001) by reference into its regulations for breakout tanks. In this rulemaking, PHMSA is proposing to update its regulations for breakout tanks to incorporate the 5th edition of API Std 653 (issued November 2014) by reference. As a key part of this, PHMSA is proposing to authorize the use of risk-based inspection (RBI) procedures for establishing the inspection intervals of in-service breakout tanks. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/02/2026-10969/pipeline-safety-breakout-tank-inspection-rule.
Is document 2026-10969 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-10969 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.

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