PHMSA has issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2026-04, reminding gas pipeline, underground natural gas storage (UNGS), and LNG operators that incidents must be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at the earliest practicable moment — and no later than one hour after confirmed discovery.
The bulletin follows findings and safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in response to a 2018 natural gas distribution incident. In its Accident Report, the NTSB identified several indicators operators should use when determining whether an event may be reportable.
These indicators include:
PHMSA emphasizes that effective emergency response depends on timely and complete information. As stated in the bulletin, “it is imperative for an effective emergency response to ensure that all information concerning a reportable incident is identified, considered, evaluated, and integrated with other known system information.”
The agency agrees with the NTSB that timely incident reporting “can make the difference between life and death,” providing stakeholders with the information necessary to perform incident response functions, identify safety issues, and develop practical solutions to pipeline safety challenges.
PHMSA’s incident reporting regulations under 49 CFR Part 191 are designed to alert federal, state, and local agencies quickly so emergency personnel or investigators can be dispatched to mitigate consequences. Importantly, operators are reminded that reporting is required not only when regulatory thresholds are clearly met, but also when an event is significant in the operator’s judgment — even if it does not strictly meet the thresholds listed in the 191.3 definition of an ‘incident’.
Operator Takeaway
When events involve explosions, fires, evacuations, emergency response activity, significant property damage, or other serious consequences – err on the side of reporting. If an event may meet the definition of an ‘incident’, notify the NRC immediately - even when only based on a preliminary evaluation.
PHMSA notes that the contents of this advisory bulletin does not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind operators nor the public in any way.
Source: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-03361.pdf
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