Indiana Amends Pipeline Safety Regulations 170 IAC 5-3

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is amending pipeline safety regulations under 170 IAC 5-3. This rulemaking affects definitions, calibration of instruments, pre-tested pipe, farm taps, construction packets, establishment of MAOP on distribution systems, acquisition of pipe or components, and waivers of compliance. Informal comments are due by April 6, 2026.

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What changed

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is initiating a rulemaking (RM #26-07) to amend several sections of the pipeline safety regulations, specifically 170 IAC 5-3. The amendments will impact definitions, calibration of instruments, the use of pre-tested pipe and farm taps, construction packet requirements, the establishment of Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) on distribution systems, procedures for acquiring pipe or components to determine the cause of failure, and waivers of compliance.

This rulemaking is currently in the Rule Development stage, with a formal comment period pending. Regulated entities, primarily energy companies involved in pipeline operations within Indiana, should monitor the progress of this rulemaking. Informal comments are due by April 6, 2026, and formal comments will be accepted once the proposed rule is published. Failure to comply with the amended regulations once they become effective could result in penalties or enforcement actions by the IURC.

What to do next

Monitor rulemaking status for proposed rule publication and formal comment period.
Submit informal comments by April 6, 2026.
Prepare to comply with updated pipeline safety regulations once finalized.

Source document (simplified)

RM #26-07 Amending 170 IAC 5-3 (Pipeline Safety)

RM #26-07

Rulemaking Docket

The Rulemaking Docket is not available at this time.

Subject Matter of Rule

This rulemaking amends 170 IAC 5-3-0.5, regarding definitions; 170 IAC 5-3-2.2, regarding calibration of instruments; 170 IAC 5-3-2.3, regarding pre-tested pipe; 170 IAC 5-3-2.4, regarding farm taps; 170 IAC 5-3-2.5, regarding construction packets; 170 IAC 5-3-2.6 regarding establishment of MAOP on distribution system; 170 IAC 5-3-3 regarding acquisition of pipe or components to determine cause of failure; and 170 IAC 5-3-5 regarding waiver of compliance; and division investigations. 170 IAC 5-3-0.5, regarding definitions; 170 IAC 5-3-2.2, regarding calibration of instruments; 170 IAC 5-3-2.3, regarding pre-tested pipe; 170 IAC 5-3-2.4, regarding farm taps; 170 IAC 5-3-2.5, regarding construction packets; 170 IAC 5-3-2.6 regarding establishment of MAOP on distribution system; 170 IAC 5-3-3 regarding acquisition of pipe or components to determine cause of failure; and 170 IAC 5-3-5 regarding waivers of compliance.

Rulemaking Status

Rule Development
Regulatory Analysis
Proposed Rule
Public Comment and Public Hearing
Final Rule
State Review
Effective Rule

Notices/Documents

To view notices and documents related to this rulemaking, please click here.

Comment Time Period

Informal Comments are due by April 6, 2026.

The formal comment period on the draft is pending.

How to Submit Comments

Comments be submitted in one of the following ways:

By mail or common carrier to the following address:

IURC RM #26-07
Jeremy Comeau
Senior Assistant General Counsel
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
101 W. Washington St., Ste. 1500 East
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-2102 | Email
2.
3. By electronic mail to URCComments@urc.IN.gov.
4.
5. Attend the scheduled public hearing.

Public Comments Received

N/A

Public Hearing

Date to be determined after proposed rule is approved.

Named provisions

Definitions Calibration of instruments Pre-tested pipe Farm taps Construction packets Establishment of MAOP on distribution system Acquisition of pipe or components to determine cause of failure Waiver of compliance