Pipeline builders can now use a newer way to join plastic pipes

US pipeline safety rules now allow a more recent industry standard for joining plastic pipes. This means companies can use updated methods for heat fusion, which is how they connect polyethylene pipes.

For years, pipeline operators had to follow an older standard for connecting plastic pipes, even if newer, better methods existed. This change means they can adopt more modern techniques, which could make pipelines safer or cheaper to build. It also reduces the paperwork burden for companies that were already using the newer standard but had to justify it.