Low ImpactNotice/Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

DOT Seeks Public Comment on 9 Hazardous Materials Transport Exemptions

February 2, 2026

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published nine new applications for special permits that would allow companies to transport hazardous materials — including lithium batteries, compressed gases, and infectious substances — outside normal federal regulations. Public comments are due March 4, 2026. This notice has no direct impact on visa holders or immigration status.

Note to Readers

This Federal Register document covers hazardous materials transportation permits — it has no connection to US immigration policy, visa regulations, or the status of F-1, H-1B, or other visa holders. The Visa Pulse covers this document only for completeness, but if you landed here looking for immigration news, this one isn't for you.

Key Points

What: PHMSA published nine applications from companies seeking special permits to transport hazardous materials under alternative conditions.
Who: Companies transporting lithium batteries, compressed gases, infectious substances, and other hazardous materials by road, rail, and cargo aircraft.
When: Public comments must be submitted by March 4, 2026.
Impact: Approved permits would allow applicants to deviate from standard DOT hazardous materials regulations for specific transport scenarios.

What's Being Requested

The Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has received nine applications for new special permits — formal exemptions that let companies transport hazardous materials in ways not ordinarily allowed under federal regulations.

The nine applicants and their requests include:

Veolia ES Technical Solutions — transport of damaged lithium ion cells in large packaging for disposal (road)
BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems — transport of spacecraft containing compressed gases and lithium ion batteries in non-standard packaging (road)
Trinseo LLC — use of leak detection methods instead of visual inspection for tank cars (rail)
Research Foundation for SUNY — transport of mice infected with infectious substances in alternative packaging (road)
GS Yuasa Lithium Power — transport of prototype and low-production lithium batteries on cargo-only aircraft
Kalitta Air — transport of articles containing non-flammable, non-toxic gas forbidden for air cargo under current rules
The Greenbrier Companies — use of a Design Certifying Engineer for tank car designs instead of AAR approval (rail)
Arkedge Space Inc. — transport of an untested lithium ion battery design via cargo-only aircraft
Samsung SDI Battery Systems GmbH — transport of prototype lithium ion batteries over 35 kg on cargo-only aircraft

How to Comment

Anyone can submit comments on these applications. Comments must reference the specific application number and be submitted in triplicate to: Record Center, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590.

If you want confirmation your comment was received, include a self-addressed stamped postcard with the special permit number.

What You Should Do

This notice does not affect immigration status or visa holders in any way. If you work in hazardous materials transportation and want to weigh in on any of these nine applications, submit written comments by March 4, 2026. For questions, contact Donald Burger at PHMSA: (202) 366-4535.

Federal Register Source Download PDF

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