PHMSA Seeks Public Comment on Harvest Alaska LNG North Slope Special Permit

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has published a Federal Register notice soliciting public comment on a special permit request from Harvest Alaska LNG, LLC for a proposed North Slope liquefied natural gas facility. The company asks PHMSA to waive federal requirements that mandate protective enclosures around LNG facilities, citing Arctic-specific environmental and operational challenges installing a fence along the facility boundary.

PHMSA made the notice public on February 3, 2026 (FR Doc. 2026–02167) and established a 30-day comment period that closes March 5, 2026. The agency stated, “PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for a special permit for the North Slope Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility (Facility) submitted by Harvest Alaska LNG, LLC (Harvest). Harvest is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. PHMSA has proposed conditions to ensure the special permit is consistent with pipeline safety. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.”

Harvest’s request specifically seeks relief from 49 CFR §§ 193.2905 and 193.2907, the Code of Federal Regulations sections that “require protective enclosures surrounding LNG facilities.” PHMSA restated Harvest’s rationale in the notice: “Due to Arctic-specific environmental and operational challenges associated with installing a fence along the boundary of the Facility, Harvest seeks to waive the requirements of 49 CFR §§ 193.2905 and 193.2907, which require protective enclosures surrounding LNG facilities.”

Documents available for review in Docket No. PHMSA–2025–0546 include Harvest’s special permit request (received July 29, 2025), PHMSA’s draft proposed special permit with conditions, and a draft environmental assessment. PHMSA told readers that “The special permit request, draft proposed special permit with conditions, and draft environmental assessment (DEA) for the Facility are available for review and public comment in Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0546. PHMSA invites interested persons to review and submit comments in the docket on the special permit request, draft proposed special permit with attachments, and DEA. Please submit comments on any potential safety, environmental, and other relevant considerations implicated by the special permit request. Comments may include relevant data.” PHMSA also emphasized it “will consider each relevant comment it receives in making its decision to grant or deny this special permit request.”

Local implications for North Slope Borough include changes to physical security and wildlife exclusion measures, effects on subsistence access and hunting patterns near facility boundaries, and operational adjustments tied to Arctic construction and maintenance seasons. Past Alaska cases provide context: a previous PHMSA docket involving Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (PHMSA‑2017‑0157) resulted in detailed special permit conditions and a finding that, with conditions, a permit “will not be inconsistent with pipeline safety.” That precedent shows PHMSA may attach conditions if it grants an exemption.

Residents, local governments, tribes, and industry stakeholders can submit comments through Regulations.gov, by fax to 1–202–493–2251, or by mail to Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, referencing Docket PHMSA–2025–0546. PHMSA general inquiries may be directed to Mr. Lee Cooper at 202-913-3171 or lee.cooper@dot.gov; technical questions to Ms. Chau Tran at 713-249-2483 or chau.tran@dot.gov. The notice was issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97 by Linda Daugherty, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.

What comes next: PHMSA will review public input after the March 5, 2026 deadline and then decide whether to grant the special permit, with any conditions it deems necessary to protect pipeline safety in the North Slope Borough. Local residents and officials concerned about facility fencing, safety, subsistence, or environmental impacts should review the docket materials and submit relevant data and comments before the deadline.