OPS Rulemakings
- Current Status-
January 25, 2001
Richard D. Huriaux
Manager, Regulations
Office of Pipeline Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Tel: 202-366-4565
Docket No. PS-124
RIN 2137-AD01
Further Regulatory Review; Gas Pipeline Safety Standards
Early in 1992, PHMSA began an extensive review of the federal gas pipeline safety
regulations (49 CFR 192) and invited the public to participate (57 FR 4745;
February 7, 1992). PHMSA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM),
proposing changes to 38 regulations in part 192 (Notice 1: 57 FR 39572; August
31, 1992). In addition, the National Association of Pipeline Safety
Representatives (NAPSR) reported on a separate but related review of Part 192.
Because the NAPSR report concerned a few of the regulations covered by the NPRM
and had similar objectives, we published the report and requested public comment
on its various recommended rule changes (Notice 2: 58 FR 59431; November 9, 1992)
and later extended the comment period (Notice 3: 58 FR 68382; December 27, 1993).
A final rule was published on June 6, 1996.
However, not all the changes suggested by the commenters were incorporated in the
final rule. A further review of the regulations in Part 192, based on the record
in this docket, was initiated in late 1996. This review identified proposals
from the Gas Piping Technology Committee (GPTC), the ASME B31.8 (gas pipeline
safety standards) committee, and NAPSR that have not yet been addressed.
In October 1997, NAPSR and the gas pipeline industry formed the State Industry
Regulatory Review Committee (SIRRC), to discuss the regulatory proposals of NAPSR
and other issues. On May 3, 1999, the SIRRC provided OPS a report on outcome of
the discussion on 39 proposed changes to the gas pipeline safety regulations.
Status: Most of the SIRRC recommendations will be addressed in a subsequent
notice in this docket. The welding recommendations are being adopted
in the periodic update (Docket No. RSPA-99-6106) which was published
for comment on March 22, 2000. The corrosion control recommendations
are being considered in a review of the pipeline corrosion
regulations in Docket No. RSPA-97-2762). An NPRM addressing the
remaining SIRRC recommendations will be published by August 2001.
Statutory Mandate: None
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: P-90-16; P-90-15
Agenda Commitment: 04/00/97
Contact: R. Huriaux (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-4565
Docket No. PS-126
RIN 2137-AB71
Passage of Internal Inspection Devices
The final rule (59 FR 17275; April 12, 1994) amended the gas and hazardous liquid
pipeline safety regulations to require that new and certain replacement pipelines
be designed and constructed to accommodate the passage of instrumented internal
inspection devices ('smart pigs'). This action was in response to a mandate in
the pipeline Safety Reauthorization Act of 1988. The intended effected of these
amended regulations was to improve the safety of gas, hazardous liquid, and
carbon dioxide pipelines by permitting their inspection by 'smart pigs' using the
latest technology for detecting and recording abnormalities in the pipe wall.
This rule required new and replacement pipelines to be capable of passing a 'pig'
for internal inspection.
In response to two petitions for reconsideration, Notice 2 (59 FR 49896;
September 30, 1994) was published to extend the compliance date for existing gas
transmission lines and to modify the requirement for modification of line
sections based on partial replacement of gas transmission pipelines located
offshore and in rural areas. Subsequently, Notice 3 (60 FR 7133; February 7,
1995) was published to suspend enforcement of the final rule requirements for new
and existing offshore gas transmission lines and for modifications to line
segments based on partial replacement of pipe in existing onshore gas
transmission lines. This stay was in response to extensive comment and a
recommendation from The Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC)
with regard to Notice 2. Nonetheless, hazardous liquid pipelines, carbon dioxide
pipelines, new onshore gas transmission lines, and the actual replaced components
in existing onshore gas transmission lines must comply with the final rule of
April 1994.
Status: A final rule in response to the petitions, public comments, and
recommendations from the advisory committee is being prepared for
publication by August 2001.
Statutory Mandate: PL 100-561, Sections 108(b) & 207(b)
(10/31/88)
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: 06/00/97
Contact: M. Israni (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4571
Docket No. PS-130
RIN 2137-AC30
Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines
An interim final rule (58 FR 244; January 1, 1993) established regulations to
require oil spill response plans for onshore oil pipelines. These regulations
were mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended by the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). The purpose of these requirements is to improve
response capabilities and to minimize the environmental impact of onshore oil
spills from pipelines.
The operators have filed response plans under this interim final rule, and
numerous tabletop exercises and area exercises have been conducted to validate
the planning process. The operators are adopting a 'one plan' approach that
allows an operator to file only one oil spill response plan with the various
interested agencies on a five-year interval.
A public meeting on OPA matters was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January
29, 1997, to solicit comments on the Interim Final Rule from the pipeline
industry, states and the public. A programmatic Environmental Assessment was
published in Docket No. RSPA-99-6157 on August 30, 1999 (64 FR 47228). A Notice
of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was published on October 26, 1999
(64 FR 57694).
Status: Because of time that has passed since issuance of Interim Final Rule,
an advisory bulletin and an interpretation will be issued by January
2001 to address technical issues. Subsequently, a new NPRM will be
issued to update record and support issuance of a final rule later in
2001.
Statutory Mandate: PL 101-380, 104 Stat. 484 (OPA 90)
Legal Deadline: 08/18/92
Priority: Other Significant
NTSB Recom. #: P-96-21
Agenda Commitment: 10/00/97
Contact: J. Taylor (OPS) P. Sanchez (DCC)
202-366-8860
Docket No. PS-133
RIN 2137-AC39
Emergency Flow Restricting Devices (EFRD)
The Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 required PHMSA to survey and assess the
effectiveness of EFRDs and other procedures, systems, and equipment used to
detect and locate hazardous liquid pipeline ruptures, and to prescribe
regulations on the circumstances under which an operator of a hazardous liquid
pipeline facility must use an EFRD or such other procedure, system, or equipment.
PHMSA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in January 1994 to solicit
data. A PHMSA-sponsored study on EFRDs and leak detection technology was issued
on September 29, 1995. Subsequently, a public workshop on the very difficult
issues involved in developing regulations on EFRDs was held in October 1995.
PHMSA is also working with API to develop an industry standard on areas unusually
sensitive to environmental damage (USAs), a definition that may held define areas
that are EFRD candidates. In the interim, API's leak detection practices
document to guide industry use of computational pipeline monitoring (leak
detection) systems was adopted in 49 CFR Part 195 on July 6, 1998 (63 FR 36373).
EFRDs are being considered as part of an NPRM in Docket No. RSPA-99-6355,
Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Hazardous Liquid
Operators with 500 or more Miles of Pipeline). An NPRM was issued by April 24,
2000 (65 FR 21695). The comment period ended June 23, 2000.
Status: The issue of EFRDs for large hazardous liquid pipelines was addressed
as part of the Final Rule in Docket No. RSPA-99-6355 by November 30,
2000. A similar rule for small hazardous liquid pipelines will be
issued in early 2001 in docket No. RSPA-00-7408.
Statutory Mandate: PL 102-508, 49 U.S.C. 60102
Legal Deadline: 10/24/96
Priority: Other Significant
NTSB Recom. #: P-95-1
Agenda Commitment: 07/00/97
Contact: L. Ulrich (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-4556
Docket No. PS-141
RIN 2137-AC38
Increased Inspection Requirements
Congress has expressed a concern about the risk of pipeline failures caused by
undetected structural defects. It directed DOT to prescribe, if necessary,
additional standards that require the periodic inspection of certain pipelines in
high-density population areas, areas unusually sensitive to environmental damage,
and crossings of commercially navigable waterways. The regulations are to
prescribe circumstances in which inspections must be conducted with an
instrumented internal inspection device. If the device is not required, the
regulations must require the use of an inspection method that is at least as
effective as using the device in providing for the safety of the pipeline.
OPS is considering the need to establish requirements for increased pipeline
inspection, including 'pigging'. On October 19, 1995, a public workshop was held
in Washington, DC, on development of regulations requiring increased inspection
of certain gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Industry participants advocated
use of a wide variety of factors to judge the risk of a pipeline and to determine
whether pigging is required.
The need for increased inspection requirements is being addressed in Docket No.
RSPA-99-6355, Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Hazardous
Liquid Operators with 500 or more Miles of Pipeline). An NPRM was issued on
April 24, 2000 (65 FR 21695). The comment period ended on June 23, 2000.
Status: The issue of increased inspection requirements for large hazardous
liquid pipelines will be addressed as part of the Final Rule in
Docket No. RSPA-99-6355 by November 30, 2000. A similar rule for
small hazardous liquid pipelines will be issued in early 2001 in
Docket No. RSPA-00-7408. Increased inspection requirements for gas
transmission pipelines will be addressed in a future rulemaking.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60102(f)(2)
Legal Deadline: 10/24/95
Priority: Other Significant
NTSB Recom. #: P-87-4; P-87-5
Agenda Commitment: 10/00/97
Contact: B. Furrow (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4559
Docket No. RSPA-97-2094
RIN 2137-AC33
Pipeline Safety: Underwater Abandoned Pipeline Facilities
As mandated by Congress in the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 (October 24, 1992),
OPS is considering requiring operators to report on abandonments of underwater
pipelines. This will require the reporting of pipelines abandoned before and
after October 1992. Both regulatory and nonregulatory approaches have been
considered. An NPRM was published on August 30, 1999 (64 FR 47157). Public
comments were received by October 29, 1999.
Status: A final rule was published on September 8, 2000 (65 FR 54440).
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60108(c)(6)(A)-(B)
Legal Deadline: 04/24/94
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: 11/00/97
Contact: L.E. Herrick (OPS) A. Lopez-Goldberg (DCC)
202-366-5523
Docket No. RSPA-97-2717
RIN 2137-AD10
Pipeline Safety: Recommendations to Change Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline
Safety Standards
In 1996, the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR)
completed its review of the hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations. It
provided OPS with 28 recommendations for changes to 49 CFR Part 195, the
hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations. NAPSR's recommendations are aimed
at making the regulations more explicit, understandable, and enforceable.
These proposals complete NAPSR's review of the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline
regulations. NAPSR's recommendation on 49 CFR Part 192, the gas pipeline safety
regulations, are being addressed in Docket No. PS-124.
Status: Now reviewing NAPSR recommendations for inclusion in next periodic
update docket. Additional information from NAPSR at national meeting
in April 2000. NPRM being prepared for issuance in June 2001.
Statutory Mandate: None
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Other Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: None
Contact: B. Furrow (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4559
Docket No. RSPA-97-2762
RIN 2137-AD24
Pipeline Safety: Controlling Corrosion on
Hazardous Liquid and
Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
The corrosion-control regulations for gas and hazardous liquid pipelines will be
revised to incorporate the latest safety practices for corrosion protection of
steel pipe. Specific criteria for corrosion protection will be incorporated into
the federal pipeline safety regulations, including, if appropriate, the
incorporation by reference of voluntary consensus standards. Comparable
standards will be applied to gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
OPS held a public meeting on pipeline corrosion control issues on September 8,
1997, in association with the NACE International Fall Committee Meetings in
Oakbrook, Illinois, to solicit comments on the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline
corrosion control requirements in the federal pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR
Parts 192 and 195). Comments addressed whether the current corrosion control
sections of the regulations should be modernized, replaced, updated, or replaced
by reference to corrosion control standards promulgated by NACE.
OPS worked with the gas and hazardous liquid industries and standards
organizations to provide technical background for development of a proposed rule.
A public meeting on pipeline corrosion issues was held on April 28, 1999, in San
Antonio, Texas. Further meetings of the government/industry team were held in
June and July 1999. Comments were received by June 30, 1999.
Status: Notice of proposed rulemaking was issued on December 8, 2001 (65 FR
76968). Comments are due on February 6, 2001.
Statutory Mandate: None
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: P-87-3
Agenda Commitment: None
Contact: B. Furrow (OPS) A. Lopez-Goldberg (DCC)
202-366-4559
Docket No. RSPA-97-2879
RIN 2137-????
Pipeline Safety: Rapid Isolation of Ruptured Sections of
Gas
Transmission Pipelines
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration held a public meeting on October
30, 1997, in Houston, Texas, with representatives of industry, state and local
government, and the public on the use of remotely controlled valves (RCVs) on
natural gas pipeline facilities. The purpose of this meeting was to gather
information and discuss issues relevant to the development of regulations
prescribing standards under which an operator of a natural gas pipeline facility
must use RCVs. Congress mandated the use of RCVs on interstate natural gas
pipeline facilities if it is determined as a result of a survey and assessment
that the use of RCVs in technically and economically feasible and would reduce
risks associated with a rupture of a natural gas pipeline facility.
Research to assess the technical and economic feasibility of remote control
valves in gas transmission systems has been completed. An evaluation was
published in September 1999. A public meeting on November 4, 1999, addressed
the need for a rulemaking to establish time limits for isolating ruptured
sections of gas transmission pipelines and the OPS study a RCVs.
Status: RCVs will be considered as part of a future integrity management
rulemaking for gas transmission pipelines.
Statutory Mandate: PL 102-508; 49 U.S.C. 60102(j)(3)
Legal Deadline: 06/01/98 determination; 06/01/99 possible rulemaking
Priority: None
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: None
Contact: L. Ulrich (OPS) A. Lopez-Goldberg (DCC)
202-366-4556
Docket No. RSPA-97-3001
RIN 2137-AC54
Pipeline Safety: Periodic Underwater Inspections
This action would require operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines
to conduct periodic underwater inspections of offshore pipelines and those in
navigable waterways. This action would also define what constitutes an exposed
underwater pipeline and what constitutes a hazard to navigation or public safety.
This could include requirements for the reburial of exposed pipelines. Under an
OPS contract, Texas A&M University has recently completed a study of the issues
related to burial depth and inspection requirements for underwater pipelines.
An NPRM is being drafted that will incorporate the Texas A&M recommendation
for a risk-based approach. In addition, we will proposed standards to aid operators
in defining the 'virtual bottom' to establish a discrete reference for measuring
burial depth.
Status: The results of the Texas A&M study are being
considered in drafting a proposed rule. An NPRM will be published in 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60108(c)
Legal Deadline: 10/24/95
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: P-90-4
Agenda Commitment: 12/00/97
Contact: M. Barber (OPS) A. Lopez-Goldberg (DCC)
202-366-4560
Docket No. RSPA-98-4284
RIN 2137-AD22
Pipeline Safety: Enforcement Procedures
This action will revise PHMSA's pipeline safety enforcement procedures to reflect
agency practices in uncontested cases where a person pays a proposed civil
penalty or agree to a proposed compliance order. The procedures will be changed
to show that both responses are considered offenses in determining future civil
penalty assessments. In addition, PHMSA will no longer prepare a final order in
cases involving these responses. These changes will streamline the enforcement
process. Sections 49 CFR 190.209 & 190.213 of the pipeline safety regulations
are affected by the proposed changes. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was
published on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43972). Comments were received by October
12, 1999.
Status: Preparing final rule for publication by July 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: 04/24/94
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment: 10/00/98 (SRA 10/98)
Contact: L. Daugherty (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4577
Docket No. RSPA-98-4316
RIN 2137-AD26
Pipeline Safety: Pressure Testing Older Pipelines in Terminals
Certain older pipelines in terminals and tank farms must be pressure tested
before December 7, 2003. In response to a petition, PHMSA is reconsidering this
testing requirement in light of the risk and low operating stress of these
pipelines. PHMSA has stayed enforcement of the testing requirement against
pipelines designed not to operate above 20 percent of specified minimum yield
strength. PHMSA is consulting with terminal operators, the American Petroleum
Institute, and others. A joint meeting with industry was held in June 1999.
Status: An NPRM is planned for publication by June 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment: 12/00/98 (SRA 10/98)
Contact: M. Israni (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4571
Docket No. RSPA-98-4868
(formerly Docket No. PS-122)
RIN 2137-AB15
Pipeline Safety: Gas Gathering Line Definition
The existing definition of "gathering line" would be clearly defined to eliminate
confusion in distinguishing these pipelines from transmission lines in rural
areas. OPS intends to conform this definition to the prevailing practices in
government and industry. This definition is required by the Pipeline Safety
Act of 1992.
In 1996, Congress amended the requirement for us to define the term "gathering
line" by adding the phrase "if appropriate". We are presently considering
alternative approaches to establishing a clear definition of gathering lines.
An electronic public meeting was held from April 13 to May 17, 1999. Met with
API and industry group on June 24, 1999. The comments received from the electronic
public meeting are now being considered in drafting an NPRM.
Status: Meeting with state pipeline safety representatives to explore
alternatives for definition of gas gathering lines in late 2000 and
early 2001. NPRM being prepared for publication by June 2001.
Statutory Mandate: PL 102-508, Section 109 (10/24/92)
Legal Deadline: 10/24/94
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: 08/00/97
Contact: L.E. Herrick (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-5523
Docket No. RSPA-99-5455
(formerly Docket No. PS-140)
RIN 2137-AC34
Areas Unusually Sensitive to Environmental Damage (USAs)
The pipeline safety laws require the DOT to define areas unusually sensitive to
environmental damage in the event of a hazardous liquid pipeline accident and to
prescribe regulations that establish criteria for identifying each hazardous
liquid pipeline facility and gathering line located in these unusually sensitive
areas (USAs). PHMSA has sought early public participation in this rulemaking
process through six public workshops, a series of technical meetings, and a pilot
test of the proposed definition. This definition will be used in the integrity
management rules and other rulemakings.
The USA conceptual model focuses on drinking water and ecological resources.
USAs would be identified through a multi-step process, identifying the most
broadly defined environmentally sensitive areas, then identifying areas of
primary concern, and finally applying filtering criteria. A subset of
environmentally sensitive drinking water and ecological resource areas would
result that identifies those resources more susceptible to a hazardous liquid
release or most highly impacted if affected by a release.
A Notice of Intent to pilot test a draft USA model was published in July 1999. A
proposed USA definition was published on December 30, 1999 with a comment period
through June 2000. PHMSA held a public workshop on April 27-28, 2000 to kick-off
a technical review of the pilot results. The technical review was completed in
May 2000 and comments were incorporated in the draft final rule. PHMSA has
contracted with The Nature Conservancy and the Association for Biodiversity
Information to obtain a national dataset on sensitive ecological species. On
September 11, 2000, the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards
Committee voted for the proposed rule.
Status: A final rule was published on December 21, 2000.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60109
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #: P-95-1
Agenda Commitment: 11/00/97
Contact: C. Sames (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-4561
Docket No. RSPA-99-6106
RIN 2137-AD35
Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates to Pipeline
Safety Regulations
(1999)
This rulemaking is designed to update the pipeline safety regulations on a
periodic basis. It will incorporate by reference the latest editions of
consensus technical standards to allow operators to utilize current technology,
materials and practices. In addition, noncontroversial corrections and
clarifications will be made. This annual update process is consistent with the
President's goal of regulatory reinvention and improvement of customer service.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on March
22, 2000 (65 FR 15290). Comments were due on May 22, 2000.
Status: A final rule will be published by March 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment: 12/00/99 (SRA 11/99)
Contact: R. Huriaux (OPS) P. Sanchez (DCC)
202-366-4565
Docket No. RSPA-99-6132
RIN 2137-AD42
Pipeline Safety: Producer-operated Outer Continental Shelf
Gas
and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
that Cross Directly into State Waters
This proposed rule would implement a provision of the December 10, 1996,
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Interior (DOI)
and the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Pipelines. This rule would address producer-operated pipelines that cross
into State waters without first connecting to a transporting operator's facility
on the OCS. It is complementary to the Direct Final Rule (DFR) that addressed
OCS oil or gas pipelines located upstream of the points at which operating
responsibility for the pipelines transfers from a producing operator to a
transporting operator (62 FR 61692, November 19, 1997; and 63 FR 12659, March 16,
1998). The proposed rule also would address the procedures by which producer
and transportation pipeline operators would petition for permission to operate
under either DOT (PHMSA) or DOI (Minerals Management Service) regulations
governing pipeline design, construction, operation, and maintenance according to
the operational circumstances of their respective pipelines.
Status: A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is being prepared for issuance in
early 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment: 03/00/99 (SRA 11/99)
Contact: L.E. Herrick (OPS) T. Givens (DCC)
202-366-5523
Docket No. RSPA-99-6355
RIN 2137-AD45
Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Integrity Management
in High Consequence
Areas
(Hazardous Liquid Operators with 500 or more Miles of Pipeline)
An October 21, 1999, notice announced a public meeting to consider the need for
additional safety and environmental regulations for gas transmission lines,
hazardous liquid pipelines, and distribution pipelines in high-density population
areas, commercially navigable waterways, and areas unusually sensitive to
environmental damage. The public meeting was held on November 18-19, 1999, in
Herndon, Virginia. The meeting was to determine the extent to which operators now
have integrity management programs, to explore effective ways to promote their
development and implementation by all operators, and to discuss mechanisms to
confirm the adequacy of operator programs. Participants in the meeting discussed
a practical definition of high consequence areas, as well as the need, if any,
for increased inspection, enhanced damage prevention, improved emergency
response, and other measures in these areas.
An NPRM was prepared to require validation/testing of the integrity of certain
hazardous liquid pipelines in high consequence areas, i.e., high-density
population areas, waters where currently commercial navigation exists, and areas
unusually sensitive to environmental damage.OPS proposed increased inspection,
enhanced damage prevention, improved emergency response, and other measures to
prevent and mitigate pipeline leaks.An operator may choose between an OPS-prescribed testing program or an operator-developed integrity management program.
An NPRM, environmental assessment, and regulatory evaluation were issued on April
24, 2000 (65 FR 21695). Comments due by June 23, 2000.
Status: A final rule was issued on December 1, 2000 (65 FR 75378).
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment: 03/00/99 (SRA 11/99)
Contact: M. Israni (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-4571
Docket No. RSPA-00-7408
RIN 2137-AD49
Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Integrity Management
in High Consequence
Areas
(Hazardous Liquid Operators with less than 500 Miles of Pipeline)
On April 24, 2000, PHMSA's Office of Pipeline safety (OPS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to
establish new requirements for protection of populated areas, commercially navigable waterways, and
areas unusually sensitive to environmental damage from hazardous liquid pipeline spills. The
published proposed rule applies to hazardous liquid pipeline operators who own or operate 500 or
more miles of pipeline. Through this document, OPS is proposing similar requirements for the
remaining hazardous liquid pipelines. The proposed rule includes requirements for integrity
assessment and evaluation of pipeline segments that could affect above high consequence areas, as
well as the need to consider additional preventive and mitigative actions to protect these
locations from pipeline spills. In these high consequence areas, OPS is proposing that an operator
develop and follow an integrity management program that continually assesses and evaluates the
integrity of those pipelines that could affect a high consequence area, through internal inspection
or pressure testing, and data integration and analysis.
Through this required program, OPS expects operators to comprehensively evaluate the entire range
of threats to pipeline integrity by analyzing all available information about the pipeline and
consequences of a failure. This would include information on the potential for damage due to
excavation, data gathered through the required integrity assessment, results of other inspections
and tests required by the pipeline safety regulations, including corrosion control monitoring and
cathodic protection surveys, and information about how a failure could affect the high consequence
area, such as location of water intakes.
The proposed rule will require an operator to take prompt action to address the integrity issues
raised by the assessment and analysis. This means an operator must evaluate and repair all
defects that could reduce a pipeline's integrity according to specified risk criteria. The
integrity of these pipelines would be further assured through other remedial actions, and
preventive and mitigative measures.
Status: An NPRM will be published by February 2001, along with an
environmental assessment and regulatory evaluation.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101-60125
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
NTSB Recom. #:
Agenda Commitment:
Contact: M. Israni (OPS) S. Pappas (DCC)
202-366-4571
Docket No. RSPA-00-8417
RIN 2137-AD55
Pipeline Safety: Drug and Alcohol
Testing for
Pipeline Facility Employees
We propose to conform the pipeline facility drug and alcohol testing regulations
with corresponding DOT regulations (Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug
and Alcohol Testing Programs). We also propose miscellaneous changes to the
pipeline facility drug and alcohol testing regulations to make them easier to
apply and understand. The proposals are intended to ensure the pipeline facility
drug and alcohol testing regulations are clear and consistent with the DOT
regulations.
Status: NPRM will be published in early 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Unknown
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: None
Contact: B. Furrow (OPS) B. Betsock (DCC)
202-366-4559
Docket No. RSPA-01-8663
RIN 2137-AD56
Pipeline Safety: Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Accident Reporting Revisions
This notice of proposed rulemaking would amend the pipeline safety regulations to
lower the reporting threshold for hazardous liquid pipeline spills from 50
barrels to 5 gallons. We are also seeking comments on revisions to the
hazardous liquid accident form to improve its usefulness. On the revised
accident form, reporting for spills from 5 gallons to less than 5 barrels will
require minimal information. The improvements to the hazardous liquid accident
form are necessary to address known deficiencies in the current information
collection. The improved information on failure cause categories and more
detailed information about the impact of failed pipelines will improve pipeline
safety statistics, increasing the overall usefulness of the data and making
analysis more efficient and meaningful.
Status: NPRM will be published in the Federal Register in early 2001.
Statutory Mandate: 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
Legal Deadline: None
Priority: Unknown
NTSB Recom. #: None
Agenda Commitment: None
Contact: R. Little (OPS) A. Lopez-Goldberg (DCC)
202-366-4569 202-366-4400
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