Trump Administration Eliminates Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Safety Regulations

The Trump administration eliminated proposed safety regulations for carbon dioxide pipelines and reduced federal enforcement actions against pipeline operators. These rules were originally drafted by the Biden administration following a 2020 pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi, which hospitalized 45 people. The regulations were killed before they reached the public notice stage.

Staffing at the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has declined significantly, leaving 174 inspectors to oversee 3.3 million miles of pipe. This exodus of senior leadership was encouraged by the Department of Government Efficiency, which urged federal employees to move to the private sector. Consequently, enforcement cases dropped from 197 in 2024 to 40 so far this year.

A spokesperson for the agency stated that the organization is modernizing its code and promoting safety through new rule-making. However, the Pipeline Safety Trust and other former officials warn that the loss of expertise and reduced oversight increase the risk of future pipeline failures.