---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 60143"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "60143"
heading: "Idled pipelines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/60143"
units:
  - "Subtitle VIII — Pipelines"
  - "Chapter 601 — Safety"
---

# §60143. Idled pipelines

- (a) **Definition of Idled.—** In this section, the term “idled”, with respect to a pipeline, means that the pipeline—
  - (1)
    - (A) has ceased normal operations; and
    - (B) will not resume service for a period of not less than 180 days;
  - (2) has been isolated from all sources of [hazardous liquid](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-4), natural [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2), or other [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2); and
  - (3)
    - (A) has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials and maintains a blanket of inert, nonflammable [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2) at low pressure; or
    - (B) has not been purged as described in [subparagraph (A)](#a-3-A), but the volume of [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2) is so small that there is no potential hazard, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) pursuant to a rule.
- (b) **Rulemaking.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall promulgate regulations prescribing the applicability of the pipeline safety requirements to idled natural or other [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2) transmission and [hazardous liquid](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-4) pipelines.
  - (2) **Requirements.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The applicability of the regulations under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall be based on the risk that idled natural or other [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2) transmission and [hazardous liquid](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-4) pipelines pose to the public, property, and the environment, and shall include requirements to resume operation.
    - (B) **Inspection.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) or an appropriate [State](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-20) agency shall inspect each idled pipeline and verify that the pipeline has been purged of combustibles and hazardous materials, if required under [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (C) **Requirements for reinspection.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall determine the requirements for periodic reinspection of idled natural or other [gas](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-2) transmission and [hazardous liquid](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-4) pipelines.
    - (D) **Resumption of operations.—** As a condition to allowing an idled pipeline to resume operations, the [Secretary](/usc/49/60101.md?p=a-25) shall require that, prior to resuming operations, the pipeline shall be—
      - (i) inspected with—
        - (I) hydrostatic pressure testing;
        - (II) an internal inspection device; or
        - (III) if the use of hydrostatic pressure testing or an internal inspection device is not technologically feasible, another comparable technology or practice; and
      - (ii) in compliance with regulations promulgated under this chapter, including any regulations that became effective while the pipeline was idled.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–260, div. R, title I, § 109(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2223.)

## Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of the PIPES Act of 2020, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is the date of enactment of div. R of Pub. L. 116–260, which was approved Dec. 27, 2020.