[Docket No. PHMSA-2022-0004] On January 28, 2022, PHMSA published its requirements for operators to apply for Pipeline Safety Enhancement Programs (PSEPs). PSEPs were established by Section 104 of the PIPES Act of 2020 to allow operators and PHMSA to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices, providing more robust protection of public safety and the environment…
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EPA Finalizes the 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP)
On January 18, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the 2022 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (2022 CGP) for stormwater discharges from construction activity. The 2022 CGP will become effective on February 17, 2022, replacing the 2017 CGP, which expires on February 16, 2022. This permit covers stormwater discharges…
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…
New Mexico Proposed ONE-CALL Revisions
[Case No. 21-00224-PL] The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (the “commission”) is considering amendments to sections of Rule 18.60.5 NMAC “Pipeline Safety Excavation Damage Prevention.” The Rule as it currently stands requires requests to locate pipelines to be completed exactly within 48 hours on the second business day from the time when the request was…
Nevada Proposes New Gas Pipeline Engineering Work Requiring Professional Engineer License
Chapter 703 [LCB File No. R073-21] The Nevada Public Utility Commission has proposed new rules that would require any gas pipeline engineering plans or specifications for engineering work or services to be performed by or under the supervision of a Professional Engineer. The following types of work and services involving a gas pipeline facility that…
Free Webinar: Unpacking the New Gas Gathering Rule
In this free webinar, the Pipeline Safety Institute will unpack the new gas gathering final rule that becomes effective on May 16, 2022. PHMSA estimates approximately 425,000 miles of previously exempt gas gathering lines will now be regulated as either Type C or Type R regulated gas gathering pipelines. The webinar will include useful information…
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 December 2021, PHMSA issued 1 NOA and 1 NOPV with no proposed penalties at this time. Please note: Pipeline operators may disagree in whole or in part…
RCP Welcomes Dewitt Burdeaux, Senior Executive Consultant
After the 27 years of trying, RCP has finally hired a Cajun whose name ends in X. RCP is pleased to announce that Dewitt Burdeaux has joined our team. Mr. Burdeaux has over 40 years of experience in pipeline safety compliance, training and consulting. With a tenure of nearly twenty years with PHMSA, Mr. Burdeaux…
Interim Final Rule: Unusually Sensitive Areas for the Great Lakes, Coastal Beaches and Certain Coastal Waters
[Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0152; Amdt. No. 195–104] PHMSA published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) effective 2/25/2022 that defines “certain coastal waters” and “coastal beaches” and includes both in the definition of Unusually Sensitive Areas (USAs) for hazardous liquid pipelines. These areas include the Great Lakes and the territorial seas (12 miles from shore) all the way…
PHMSA 2022 Drug & Alcohol Testing Rate
[Docket No. Docket No. PHMSA-2021-0107] PHMSA has determined the minimum random drug-testing rate for covered employees will remain at 50 percent during calendar year 2022. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors who are performing or are ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2021 reporting, the…
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 November 2021, PHMSA issued 5 NOAs, 12 NOPVs, and 6 WLs accompanied by $1,323,347 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…
December Featured Services
Pipeline Acquisition Due Diligence & Program Support RCP has provided expert support for various pipeline acquisitions. RCP can provide due diligence audits and jurisdictional determinations to help ensure that potential compliance issues have been addressed before the sale is final. A past project included due diligence on crude assets in West Texas and New Mexico…
DOT COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing Statement of Enforcement
On November 29, 2021, the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance updated its Statement of Enforcement Discretion for Substance Abuse Professionals and Service Agents guidance document. The guidance is now effective until June 30, 2022. To view the updated guidance, click here.
Underwater Inspection Procedures & Inspection Interval Risk Model Updates
As a reminder, now that hurricane season has ended, this is a good time to evaluate how these storms may have impacted your shallow water pipelines and if their risk profiles have changed. The number and proximity of hurricanes are typically the largest inputs for the risk profiles. In addition to the latest storm data…
Oklahoma Corporation Commission OCC Domains Have Expired
Update your bookmarks and address books! As the Oklahoma Corporation Commission continues on the path to digital transformation and agency modernization, the prior website domains (occeweb.com and occ.state.ok.us) and older email formats including f.last@occemail.com have expired and will no longer work. Please update your bookmarks to oklahoma.gov/occ (website launched November 2020). And, check that your…
PRCI Established Emerging Fuels Institute
Through the recently established Emerging Fuels Institute (EFI), Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) is working to resolve the technical gaps that exist as the industry transitions to low carbon energy solutions using the existing pipeline asset infrastructure. As many governments are planning or have begun mandating transitions to renewable energy sources to achieve their stated…
ASME 2021 Global Pipeline Award
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Pipeline Systems Division presented the 2021 Global Pipeline Award (GPA) at the Rio Pipeline Conference Digital Event, November 9 – 11, 2021. This award recognizes outstanding innovations and technological advances by various organizations in the field of pipeline transportation. A project, product, device, system, service, approach or other can…
MaxOp Training
RCP is now offering a one-day workshop on how to use MaxOp software. This training session can be scheduled onsite or at RCP’s corporate office in Houston, Texas. MaxOp is the most comprehensive MAOP tool on the market. RCP’s MaxOp tool can link documentation to MAOP algorithm variables, dynamically segment data, run MAOP calculations, identify…
Gas Gathering Final Rule
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023] PHMSA has provided an advanced copy of what will be the Final Rule for regulated gas gathering pipelines once published in the Federal Register (expected November 15, 2021). The rule (Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Gathering Pipelines: Extension of Reporting Requirements, Regulation of Large, High-Pressure Lines, and Other Related Amendments) was originally…