On November 2, 2022, PHMSA issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as guidance to pipeline operators to help them understand how to comply with existing temporary repair and permanent repair regulations. Although FAQs are not enforceable, an operator who is able to demonstrate compliance with the FAQs is likely to be able to demonstrate compliance…
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PHMSA Public Meeting Addressing Multiple Pipeline Safety Topics
December 13-15, 2022 | Houston, Texas PHMSA is holding an informational public meeting to address multiple safety topics including progress on reduction of methane emissions, energy transformation, safety bulletins, and National Transportation Safety Board recommendations. The informational public meeting will be held on December 13-15, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Westin…
GAO Recommendations for Improving PHMSA’s Enforcement Transparency Website
As you are aware, PHMSA inspects interstate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, investigates accidents, and enforces laws and regulations. PHMSA puts information about its enforcement activities on its public Enforcement Transparency website. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report and 3 recommendations related to improving the PHMSA Enforcement Transparency website. Recommendation #1:…
FERC LNG Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
[Docket No. RM22-8-000] The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposes to revise its regulations under 18 CFR parts 153 and 380 governing liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities subject to sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act by removing outdated references for seismic hazard evaluations and seismic design criteria for LNG facilities. In their…
Did you know?
The ability of the gas system to meet seasonal and peak day demands and to reliably deliver natural gas, even during high-impact events, represents an important and valuable resource that must be considered when designing future energy systems and building pathways to a low-carbon future. “Enhancing and Maintaining Gas and Energy System Resiliency”, a study…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In October 2022, PHMSA issued 1 WL, 1 NOA, and 3 NOPVs accompanied by $1,216,602 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshops (In Person)
Join us January 31 – February 2, 2023 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance topics. Topics to be addressed in the workshop include: We will also discuss the PIPES Act of 2021; recent Advisory Bulletins from PHMSA; and new, pending…
PHMSA’s Response to AGA’s RIN 2 Petition
PHMSA has formally responded to AGA’s Petition for Reconsideration regarding the Transmission Mega Rule RIN 2. On September 23, 2022, the American Gas Association (AGA) submitted a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) petitioning the agency for reconsideration of the final rule titled “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: Repair…
2023 Conference News
PPIM 2023 (Pipeline Pigging & Integrity Management Conference)February 6-10, 2023 | George R. Brown Convention Center | Houston, TXSave the Dates! Register on or before January 16 and receive a $50 discount. Registration and more information can be found at https://ppimconference.com/registration/ 2023 AGA Operations Conference and Biennial ExhibitionMay 2-4, 2023 | Gaylord Texas Resort &…
Save The Planet – Drink Jack Daniels!
[as if we needed one more reason] On October 17, 2022, TC Energy Corporation announced a $29.3 million investment in a renewable natural gas (RNG) production facility near the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. Owned by Lynchburg Renewable Fuels LLC, the facility will produce RNG with a carbon intensity score that is 50 per…
RCP’s Anniversary Game
You keep playing, so why stop now? Since none of us got to enjoy 2020 OR 2021 the way we planned, RCP has decided to have ANOTHER do-over of our 25th anniversary in 2022. Let the third round of our 25th anniversary contest continue! Every month between now and December 2022, RCP will be giving…
PHMSA Notice of USA Limited Enforcement Discretion to Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
[Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0152; Amdt. No. 195–104] Effective Monday, October 24, 2022, PHMSA issued a limited enforcement discretion relative to the Unusually Sensitive Areas (USA) Interim Final Rule (IRF). [See related article in the January Edition of the DOT Pipeline Compliance News.] PHMSA will exercise its discretion to refrain from taking enforcement action against hazardous liquid…
PHMSA’s Annual Incident Report Changes
[Docket No. PHMSA-2021-0054] Here is a summary of the changes that are being proposed to current reports. Excavation Damage Information Collection in Annual Reports In 2018, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) updated its Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) which collects excavation damage data including root causes. PHMSA plans on realigning their Annual Report form for…
PHMSA Pipeline Safety 49 CFR Part 192.3 Correction
[Docket No. 2011-0023; Amdt. No. 192-132; RIN 2137-AF39] Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: Repair Criteria, Integrity Management Improvements, Cathodic Protection, Management of Change, and Other Related Amendments In the Rule Document published in the Federal Register Doc. C1-2022-17031, appearing on pages 52224-52279, in the issue of Wednesday, August 24, 2022, make the following correction to…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In September 2022, PHMSA issued 3 WLs, 2 NOAs, and 7 NOPVs accompanied by $746,900 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Iowa Utilities Division – Proposed Rule on Biogas Gathering
[Docket No. RMU-2022-0010] The Iowa Utilities Board (herein Board) proposes to amend Chapter 10, “Intrastate Gas Pipelines and Underground Gas Storage,” Iowa Administrative Code. This proposed rule making requires companies proposing to construct renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities that render natural gas from landfills and animal operations (such as dairies) and that interconnect with intrastate…
New Jersey Natural Gas Pipeline Readoption and Proposed New Rule
[BPU Docket No. GX22020048] The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has proposed changes to its Natural Gas Pipelines regulations and for a general reauthorization of those regulations. New requirements cover the frequency and type of emergency response drills, construction requirements for plastic pipe, new requirements for incident reporting, new requirements for classifying gas leaks,…
Did you know?
Electric stoves need to be replaced more often than gas stoves. Instead of wondering when a household’s energy supply needs to be replaced, natural gas consumers can comfortably cook meals at any given time. For more information, visit https://www.apga.org/advocacy
Underwater Inspection Procedures & Inspection Interval Risk Model Updates
As a reminder, now that hurricane season has just about ended, this is a good time to evaluate your pipelines in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and see if their risk profiles have changed. It has been a quiet year for hurricanes this year, but it has been a busy year for several…
Pipeline Mapping Tools Webinar
This webinar from the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness (PAPA) was designed to help public officials learn how online pipeline mapping tools can help promote the safe development of their community and aid in emergency response planning. The webinar is applicable for emergency managers, emergency officials, first responders, land planners, public officials, developers and permitters.…