The New York State Department of Public Service has new regulations for its atmospheric corrosion control monitoring requirements. Operators are now required to conduct inspections of service lines for atmospheric corrosion every five years instead of every three years. The Department also issued updated Operator Qualification (OQ) regulations. The OQ regulation changes include new definitions…
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National Academy of Sciences – Valves Study
The National Academy of Sciences held a meeting on April 26 and 27, 2022, related to the required study from the 2020 PIPES Act regarding Remove Operated Valves, Automatic Shutdown Valves, and Emergency Flow Restricting Devices (ROV/ASV/EFRD). This was the third meeting of the group. Their report should be delivered to the three congressional committees…
Did you know?
Safety is paramount to the Natural Gas industry, and guides everything we do. Members of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) have made great strides through our widely recognized safety initiative – the “Integrity Management – Continuous Improvement” (IMCI) program. IMCI has provided a foundation for the past decade for members to safely…
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 March 2022, PHMSA issued 14 WLs, 11 NOAs, and 7 NOPVs accompanied by $135,300 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Client Feedback
RCP has a tradition of creating and sustaining trusted partnerships with the companies we serve. This has translated into long-term relationships that are based not only on the quality and scope of the work we provide, but also on the manner in which we provide it. We routinely hear from our clients with positive feedback…
PHMSA Responds to Gas Gathering Rulemaking Petition for Reconsideration
PHMSA responded to a Petition for Reconsideration and a Motion to Stay of Final Rule, “Safety of Gas Gathering Pipelines: Extension of Reporting Requirements, Regulation of Large, High-Pressure Lines, and Other Related Amendments.” The Petition and Motion were filed by the American Petroleum Institute and the GPA Midstream Association. The Petition asserted that PHMSA’s adoption…
PHMSA Issues 2022 Civil Penalty Adjustments
PHMSA has published the 2022 Maximum Civil Penalty amounts, found under §190.223 Maximum Penalties, with a 1.06222% increase to maximum civil penalties. This authority was granted to PHMSA under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (herein referred to…
America’s Natural Gas Industry Will be Essential to Achieve a Net-Zero Emissions Future
Climate change is a defining challenge across the globe, and natural gas, natural gas utilities and the delivery infrastructure are essential to meeting our nation’s emissions reduction goals. Learn more about how the natural gas industry will play a critical role in helping reach our nation’s environmental goals in a recently release report from The…
EFRD Evaluation
RCP can assist pipeline operators (both gas and liquids) with performing an emergency flow restricting device (EFRD) evaluation based on the criteria, e.g. type of leak detection installed, product transported, quantity released, local topography, etc., identified in the Integrity Management rules. §192.179 requires that intermediate valves be installed along a cross country pipeline at the…
Additions and Changes to PHMSA Forms for Gathering Pipeline Systems Annual Reports
Type R (Reporting-Regulated) Gas Gathering Pipeline Systems Annual Report Form PHMSA F 7100.2-3 (new 3-2022): Beginning approximately May 16th, 2022, PHMSA will now require annual reports for previously unregulated gas-gathering pipeline systems. The annual report will be documenting miles of reporting-regulated gas gathering lines by nominal pipe size (NPS), decade installed, material and corrosion prevention…
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 February 2022, PHMSA issued 2 CAOs, 14 WLs, 5 NOAs, and 9 NOPVs accompanied by $168,500 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following…
Client Feedback
RCP has a tradition of creating and sustaining trusted partnerships with the companies we serve. This has translated into long-term relationships that are based not only on the quality and scope of the work we provide, but also on the manner in which we provide it. We routinely hear from our clients with positive feedback…
Final Rulemaking submitted to OMB
The final rule “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines, Repair Criteria, Integrity Management Improvements, Cathodic Protection, Management of Change, and Other Related Amendments” (otherwise known as RIN2) has been transmitted to the federal Office of Management and Budget for review. This review can take up to 90 days to complete, but it does not…
PHMSA’s Webinar on Natural Gas Emission Reduction & Leak-Prone Pipe
[Docket No. PHMSA-2021-0123] PHMSA held a public meeting February 17th on their plans for 2022 and the questions they have developed to assess operator plans for reducing or mitigating methane emissions. PHMSA reviewed the requirements of Section 114 and plans for PHMSA and state inspection of the requirements. A recording of the session is posted…
Did you know?
Thanks to the trusted domestic natural gas delivery system and continuous technological innovations in natural gas furnaces and boilers, natural gas is an incredibly efficient way for Americans to heat their homes and businesses. For more information, click here.
NAPSR Updates State Compendium
The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) has released their Compendium 2022. The Compendium highlights areas where actions have been taken at the state level that go beyond federal pipeline safety regulatory requirements. Click here to see the Compendium 2022.
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 January 2022, PHMSA issued 6 WLs, 9 NOAs, and 7 NOPVs accompanied by $900,200 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Client Feedback
RCP has a tradition of creating and sustaining trusted partnerships with the companies we serve. This has translated into long-term relationships that are based not only on the quality and scope of the work we provide, but also on the manner in which we provide it. We routinely hear from our clients with positive feedback…
2023 Conference News
In-person conferences are back in full swing! Visit us at our booth at both API & AGA where we will have plenty of swag and an opportunity to win a bottle of RCP’s 25th Anniversary Single Barrel Jack Daniel’s. API 2023 Pipeline Conference and ExpoMay 1-3, 2023 | JW Marriott Nashville, TN Registration is now open.…
PHMSA Informational Webinar: Inspection of Operators’ Plans to Eliminate Hazardous Leaks, Minimize Releases of Methane, and Remediate or Replace Leak-Prone Pipe
PHMSA announced a public informational webinar (Virtual) on the scope of Section 114 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (PIPES Act of 2020). The webinar will also cover PHMSA and state inspection plans to ensure compliance of operators’ inspection and maintenance procedures to eliminate hazardous leaks, minimizes releases…