WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation last Monday rolled out sweeping regulatory changes aimed at lowering energy costs while moving to accelerate reconstruction of two of the Mid-Atlantic’s most critical and congested bridges, marking a dual push on affordability and infrastructure under the Trump administration.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is issuing two final rules and a new enforcement policy projected to generate more than $600 million in annualized cost savings while maintaining federal safety standards.
One rule modernizes decades-old class location requirements for natural gas transmission lines, allowing operators to rely on risk-based integrity management practices instead of costly pipeline replacements or pressure reductions. The department said the update reflects more than 50 years of technological and safety advances and is expected to save more than $461 million annually, while reducing maintenance-related emissions by an estimated 1.3 billion cubic feet per year.
A second rule revises hazardous materials regulations governing fuel transport by cargo tank, easing compliance costs by allowing new inspection technologies and restoring a long-standing placarding exemption for certain fuel shipments. The department estimates those changes will generate $145.3 million in yearly savings.
PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti said the actions are designed to reduce the cost of moving American energy to consumers without compromising safety. In addition, the agency issued a new enforcement policy tied to the national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump, allowing regulated entities in regions such as the West Coast, Northeast and Alaska to seek temporary compliance deferrals where safety can be maintained.
Both final rules were sent to the Federal Register for publication. Changes to gas pipeline class location requirements will take effect 60 days after publication, while hazardous materials updates will become effective after 30 days.
Beyond regulatory relief, Duffy also met Thursday with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to push forward reconstruction plans for the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the American Legion Memorial Bridge, two projects central to the Baltimore region and the Capital Beltway economy.
In a joint statement, Duffy and Moore said they agreed to accelerate both projects, citing the urgent need to reduce congestion and restore critical transportation links. For the American Legion Bridge, the two leaders said they will explore innovative approaches, including a potential public-private partnership, to speed construction and deliver traffic relief along what officials describe as the most congested corridor in the nation.
They also reported progress on cost-sharing arrangements for the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, following earlier federal concerns over budget and oversight.
The bridge discussions build on recent federal actions, including a December request for public input from the Federal Highway Administration on accelerating the American Legion Bridge rebuild, and reflect a broader effort to pair regulatory reform with faster delivery of major infrastructure projects.
Together, the announcements underscore the department’s push to cut costs, ease regulatory burdens and advance high-profile construction projects as the administration seeks to address energy affordability and chronic transportation bottlenecks at the same time.
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