[Docket ID PHMSA-2018-0103]

The minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 50 percent during calendar year 2019. Drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors who are performing or are ready to perform covered functions. For electronic reporting, the “user name” and “password” for the Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) will be available in the PHMSA Portal.

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0078]

The National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators serves as the storehouse for the reporting requirements for an operator regulated or subject to reporting requirements under 49 CFR Part 192, 193, or 195. This registry incorporates the use of two forms: OPID Assignment Request (PHMSA F 1000.1) and National Registry Notification (PHMSA F 1000.2). PHMSA proposes revising certain parts of these forms and instructions after receiving comments that it could be improved by more detailed reporting instructions. PHMSA has placed instructions for completing the Operator Assignment Request and the National Registry Notification forms in the docket. PHMSA will request a three-year term of approval for the information collection: National Registry of Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Operators. Current Expiration Date: 7/31/2020.

Comments to the Office of Management and Budget are invited on: (a) The need for the proposed information, including whether the information will have practical utility in helping the agency to achieve its pipeline safety goals; (b) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden on those who are to respond.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 17, 2019. Submit comments regarding the burden estimate, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.

For a copy of this Notice from the Federal Register, contact Jessica Foley.

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0136]

Due to the Government shut-down, the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and a joint meeting of the GPAC and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) that was scheduled on January 8-10, 2019 has been postponed. Please be sure to cancel your hotel and airline arrangements. The GPAC had planned to discuss the proposed rule titled Safety of Gas Gathering Pipelines. It appears that PHMSA’s initial proposal will be to regulate all gas gathering lines greater than 16-inches in class 1 locations and gas gathering lines greater than 12-inches up to 16-inches within class 1 locations that have at least one dwelling located within a potential impact radius. Following this meeting, the GPAC and LPAC planned to jointly discuss a variety of policy issues and topics relevant to both gas and liquid pipeline safety. For more information and updates on the rescheduled meeting dates, including copies of PHMSA’s presentations, go to the meeting page.

March 13-14, 2019

The PHMSA Public Awareness and Engagement Workshop has been scheduled for March 13-14 and will be held in Washington, DC at the US DOT HQ Atrium. Mark your calendars if you are interested in attending, or participating via webcast. We will post more information as it becomes available.

[Docket No. BSEE-2018-0017]

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is soliciting information and public comments regarding potential impact [including impacts on future use of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)] related to decommissioning-in-place (DIP) of certain pipeline-related infrastructure in deep water (i.e., depths of at least 600 feet) on the OCS. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) will help identify technical, safety and environmental factors, as well as potential impacts to other uses of the OCS, that will inform BSEE’s consideration of requests to allow DIP of such pipeline-related infrastructure in deepwater in lieu of decommissioning by removal.

Written comments and other information in response to this RFI must be submitted on or before February 26, 2019. Include docket number BSEE–2018– 0017 as an identifier when submitting comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

For a copy of BSEE’s Notice from the Federal Register, contact Jessica Foley.