Public Intelligence

PHMSA made an adjustment to the expected value of property damage occurring from 2001 through 2005, since some of the property damage was caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (an outlier), which skewed the damages above expectations and which this rule was not designed to mitigate. A more accurate expected value of benefits, perhaps reflective of a longer timeline and taking into account risks and consequences not experienced from 2001 through 2005, would show a higher expected benefit of this rule} It is possible for high-consequence accidents to occur, in which there are a disproportionately large number of casualties (Le., deaths and serious injuries), since a portion of gas distribution piping is located in densely populated areas with schools and businesses containing a large number of people.

It appears another new round of fraudulent USDOT letters are starting to circulate among motor carriers. The letters appear to be from the “U.S. Department of Transportation Procurement Office” and signed by a fictitious name of “Julie P. Weynel – Senior Procurement Officer”. The letters are attempting to obtain banking information from the targeted companies.