Companies, shippers, contractors, and potential DOT contractors are receiving fraudulent letters, or facsimile letters (often signed by an individual claiming to be a senior DOT procurement official), purporting to be issued by DOT, requesting the recipient to perform some type of action involving the submission of business sensitive financial information. The most recent fraudulent facsimile…
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Pipeline Leak Detection, Leak Repair and Methane Emission Reductions Public Meeting
May 5-6, 2021 PHMSA will be holding a virtual public meeting for stakeholder groups and members of the public to share and discuss perspectives on improving gas pipeline leak detection and repair. PHMSA expects to cover subjects that include examining the sources of methane emissions from natural gas pipeline systems, current regulatory requirements for managing…
TaskOp™ for Methane Gas Reporting
TaskOp™ has helped many operators with various reporting requirements throughout the years, so this is a perfect addition to the software. TaskOp™ can also help with all the calculations that go into finding the various components that may need to be reported. If Methane Gas Reporting is an add-on to TaskOp™ that you are interested in,…
API Third-Party Assessment Program Webinar
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – 1 PM CST API is hosting a webinar with Avetta and Southwest Gas on May 12 to discuss the API Third Party Assessment Program and will then feature Southwest Gas Corporation sharing how they have successfully broken barriers to drive continual improvement in PSMS implementation. As part of the industry’s…
Pipeline Safety Trust Spring Conference 2021
The Pipeline Safety Trust (PLST) is planning for a return to an in-person conference in 2022. Until then, they will continue with virtual conferences and have two sessions planned for May on “Protecting Air & Water through Pipeline Leak Detection.” Session 1: Methane / May 18th Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. PDT Keynote Speaker: Hon. Tristan…
Maine’s Updated Damage Prevention Regulations
[Chapter 420 – Safety Standards for Natural Gas and LNG Facility Operators] The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has updated it General regulation. These updates make this regulation more in alignment with the PHMSA regulations. There are several new definitions, such as Leak Progression Map, Main, Operator, Pipe Appurtenance and Critical Valve. The definition of…
NTSB 2021-2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
[Pipeline Leak Detection] The NTSB Board Meeting to discuss the 2021-2022 Most Wanted List proposed 10 recommendations, including one safety item to improve pipeline leak detection and mitigation. This safety item has three elements: Equipping gas transmission lines with ruptured detection technology; Installing automatic shut-off valves and remote-control valves on natural gas transmission lines; and…
Colorado Public Service Commission Implements New Gas Pipeline Regulations
On March 17, 2021 Regulation 11 Rules Regulating Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety was implemented by the Public Utilities Commission. These regulations apply to all public utilities and all municipal or quasi-municipal corporations transporting natural gas or providing natural gas service, all operators of master meter systems, and all operators or pipelines transporting gas…
Maine’s Updated Damage Prevention Regulations
Maine has updated its “65-07 – Public Utilities Commission – General” natural gas pipelines regulations. Several of the additions and changes focused on changing the wording and requirements to align with current PHMSA regulations for natural gas. This means renumbering of the regulation and adding several new definitions to existing portions; therefore, a lot of…
Proposed Changes to Operator Qualification and Waivers in NY State
[I.D No. PSC-14-21-00003-P] The New York Public Service Commission is considering revisions to certain sections of 16 NYCRR Part 255 as summarized below: Waivers would become Special Permits The current waiver request would become a request for a special permit. Currently, pipeline operators are required to comply with the regulations as stated or ask for…
April is National Safe Digging Month
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven association of individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. Every year, the industry celebrates National Safe Digging Month in April. During the month, campaigns and activities focus on promoting safe digging to the general public and professionals nationwide. New tools and graphics…
Mega-Rule #1: Gas Transmission Regulation Deep Dive Virtual Workshop
RCP has been heavily involved throughout this rulemaking process and is ready to assist operators as they get prepared. Whether it’s a deep dive into MAOP records reconfirmation, conducting Engineering Critical Assessments, assessing where your Moderate Consequence Areas exist, developing Material Verification plans, reviewing existing pipeline integrity programs, developing action plans to get into compliance,…
What makes RCP’s online training different?
Online Training Done Right! Check out our online training introduction video. Our online training has been built from the ground up to make the most use of the virtual learning environment. We’ve re-organized our training material into 5-10 minute* bite-sized topics, and made them all available in a format that allows students to take them in…
Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform Final Rule, Delay of Effective Dates, Withdrawal of Enforcement Discretion
On March 5th, PHMSA published in the Federal Register a notice announcing a delay of the effective date of its Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2021, (86 FR 2210) until March 21, 2021. RCP published a detailed summary of changes included in the Gas…
Proposed Pipeline Safety Rule Changes in Oklahoma
[CAUSE NO. RM 202100001; Number 165:20 – Gas & Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety] The Transportation Division (“Division”) of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (“Commission”) recommends that the Commission amend the Gas & Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety rules that are set forth in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (“OAC”) 165:20. The proposed changes to OAC 165:20 are as…
PHMSA Releases Safety Research Announcement
PHMSA’s Research Announcement #693JK3211RA0001 closes on 4/19/2021 and is soliciting safety research in the following areas: Threat Prevention Underground Gas Storage Liquefied Natural Gas Materials All of you Really Cool People can learn more about the safety research PHMSA is now soliciting by clicking here.
PHMSA Civil Penalty Update
PHMSA has updated §190.223 Maximum penalties going forward in accordance with the following table. Description Citation Existing penalty New penalty (existing penalty × 1.01764) Maximum penalty for each pipeline safety violation 49 U.S.C. 60122(a)(1) 218,647 222,504 Maximum penalty for a related series of pipeline safety violations 49 U.S.C. 60122(a)(1) 2,186,465 2,225,034 Maximum additional penalty for…
PHMSA Notice Operator Qualification FAQs
[Docket No. PHMSA-2020-0086] PHMSA issued a Notice and Request for Comments regarding a revised set of operator qualification (OQ) frequently asked questions (FAQs) that will replace its current FAQs developed in 2003. The proposed revisions will provide greater clarity regarding PHMSA’s OQ regulations, and address the implementation of operator qualification regulations for gas and hazardous…
Update to Mississippi Damage Prevention Regulations
The State of Mississippi has modified its damage prevention regulations to require the use of their “Positive Response Information System” (PRIS), to communicate the status and plans for pipeline marking. Before this change, the use of PRIS was optional for facility owners. PRIS is an automated information system operated and maintained by Mississippi 811, that…
TRRC 2021 Pipeline Mileage Fees
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) is reminding pipeline operators that their 2021 pipeline mileage fees are due April 1, 2021. Operators will use the number of miles they have permitted as of December 31, 2020, to calculate their 2021 pipeline mileage fee. The deadline for payment without incurring late penalties is April 1. This year’s…