The Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-08-05 requesting voluntary advance notification of intent to transport biofuels and field testing. On August 10, 2007, PHMSA published a Federal Register document (72 FR 45002) on the applicability of the pipeline safety regulations to the transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline. PHMSA noted the technical issues associated with transporting biofuels by pipeline including internal corrosion and stress corrosion cracking, and the performance of seals, gaskets and internal coatings. Please reference RCP’s newsletter article in the September 2007 edition of DOT Pipeline Compliance News.
Operators intending to transport these new fuels are expected to conduct risk analysis, monitoring, and controls as needed to move biofuels safely, as well as conduct spill response planning for the new product. PHMSA seeks to work with pipeline operators that plan to transport these new fuels in existing regulated hazardous liquid pipelines or in new pipelines that might be constructed for the purpose of transporting ethanol or biofuels. PHMSA is requesting operators to provide advance notice of their intent to transport these fuels to facilitate cooperation in achieving safety.
PHMSA encourages field testing by pipeline operators to accelerate the development of knowledge about the safe and reliable transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline. They are requesting that any operator intending to field test transportation of biofuels by pipeline provide advance notification to PHMSA so that PHMSA can work with the operator to address any safety concerns that arise.
Under 49 CFR 195, an operator is obligated to modify its operating procedures, integrity management programs, and emergency response plans, etc., prior to commencing commercial transportation of a new hazardous liquid. Operators must also update their spill response plans to account for the new product being transported. PHMSA requests that operators intending to commence regular commercial transportation of ethanol or other biofuels provide a 60-day advance notice to PHMSA.
Submit notifications in writing to: Information Resources Manager, OPS/PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, by fax to 202-366-7128, or by e-mail to informationresourcesmanager@phmsa.dot.gov. Include name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of the person responsible for compliance with the integrity management requirements and a physical description of facilities involved including pipe design, manufacture, vintage, diameter, relevant operating history, and presence of any breakout tanks along with project timelines.
PHMSA will review all notifications received. Review may include site inspections by PHMSA or state pipeline safety agencies, particularly in states with certified hazardous liquid programs. If PHMSA finds that an operator’s plans and operating procedures need additional attention or modification, they will provide feedback to the operator.
For a copy of ADB-08-05, contact Jessica Roger.