PHMSA announced that it will accept applications for up to $17 million in grants for safety awareness, training, research, and other activities that will help communities avert or respond to hazardous materials-related transportation incidents. Each year, PHMSA offers grants to state, tribal, non-profit, and community-based organizations through its safety programs for the nation’s pipeline network…
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New PHMSA Deputy Administrator
On February 1, 2021, the Biden Administration named Tristan Brown as the new deputy administrator for PHMSA (replacing Drue Pierce). He is also temporarily serving as acting administrator for PHMSA (replacing Skip Elliot). Mr. Brown previously served in the offices of Senator Gary Peters and Senator Amy Klobuchar where he worked on issues related to…
PHMSA Posts 2021 Inspection Protocols
PHMSA has published the updated 2021 inspection protocols for Gas Distribution, Gas Transmission, Hazardous Liquids, Liquified Natural Gas, Underground Gas Storage and Drug & Alcohol. Changes this year include D&A questions, new Liquid Rule content, new gas rule content and miscellaneous changes from the various content teams. You can access these on PHMSA’s Forms page:…
Hazardous Liquid Rulemaking FAQ’s Released
PHMSA released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the final rule “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines,” published on October 1, 2019. Although FAQ’s are not enforceable, they do provide pipeline operators important guidance on how PHMSA interprets certain gray areas of code. In this batch of final FAQ’s, PHMSA provides their response to…
Gas Transmission Rulemaking Draft FAQ’s Released
PHMSA has released a draft of “Batch 2” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the final rule “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments,” originally published October 1, 2019. Batch 1 (Mega Rule FAQs – RCP Inc.) was finalized and released on September 15, 2020. …
PHMSA Reauthorization – PIPES Act 2020
Contained within the $900 billion, 5,593 page ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021’’, you will find the “Protecting Our Infrastructure Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020”, otherwise known as the PIPES Act of 2020. This was signed into law by President Trump on December 27th and authorizes funding for PHMSA to carry out its mission through…
Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform
PHMSA issued this Final Rule (Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform; Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0046; Amdt Nos. 191-29; 192-128) on January 5, 2021, and it has been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. It is unclear when or if this rule will actually make it to the Federal Register before the next…
Pipeline Information Collection Notice and Request for Comments
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0172] On December 17, 2020, PHMSA published a notice and request for comments for gas pipelines and gas storage facilities reporting requirements, as summarized below. PHMSA proposes to revise PHMSA F 7100.2-1 Annual Report for Natural and Other Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipeline Systems, to add a section to collect data about the…
Midstream Facilities Draft FAQ’s Released
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0199] PHMSA published a notification in the Federal Register seeking public comments on a document titled ‘‘Pipeline Safety: Midstream Facilities Frequently Asked Questions,’’ a set of seven draft frequently asked questions developed by the Midstream Processing Working Group, established by the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee. PHMSA received…
New Underground Damage Prevention Authority in Alabama
The State of Alabama has created a new organization as described in state regulations 910 – Underground Damage Prevention Authority. The Authority has the power to write rules, adjudicate complaints, and issue penalties for violations of damage prevention laws and regulations. The penalty provisions are as follows: 910-X-4-.01 Penalty Provisions Any person who violates the…
Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) Rulemaking on Natural Gas and LNG Facility Operators
Proposed Rule Number: 2020-P234 The MPUC has initiated a rulemaking to amend Number 65-407 Ch. 420 – Safety Standards for Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Operators. The proposed amendments are intended to update and modernize the Commission’s gas safety rules. The Commission held a public hearing on January 6, 2021, 1:30 p.m. remotely…
Virginia Proposed Rule: Professional Engineering Stamps for Gas Projects
[Case No. URS-2020-00052] The State of Virginia proposes to establish a new chapter, 20VAC5-360, Licensed Professional Engineer to Exercise Responsible Charge over Certain Natural Gas Engineering Projects. The new regulation requires that licensed professional engineers exercise responsible charge over certain pipeline projects undertaken by natural gas companies jurisdictional to the State Corporation Commission where such…
DOT COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing Statement of Enforcement Discretion for Substance Abuse Professionals and Service Agents
On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) provided guidance about the impact of COVID-19 on DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers, employees, and service agents. On April 4, 2020, ODAPC provided supplemental information specific to performing remote evaluations by Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP)…
RCP Input to NFPA 30, 2012 Edition
RCP is proud that Jonathan Barber, Senior Staff Consultant, has made significant contributions to the recent update of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. NFPA 30 is widely used by the Oil, Gasified Liquids, Petrochemicals, Chemicals, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Insurance, and many other industries to ensure the safe storage, handling,…
ASME Pipeline Training – Downey, CA October 31 – November 4, 2011
The Pipeline Systems Division of ASME is conducting 3 pipeline training courses aimed at early career pipeline engineers. The week of courses will include: Pipeline Design, Construction, and Assessment (October 31 – November 2) Integrity Management (November 3) In-Line Inspection (November 4) Participants will be immersed in lectures and exercises designed to build practical knowledge.…
AGA White Paper on MAOP Records Review
The American Gas Association (AGA) just released an “Industry Guidance on Records Review for Re-affirming Transmission Pipeline MAOPs.” The intent of the document is to provide general guidance to pipeline operators who are reviewing the MAOP for their existing transmission pipelines in response to recommendations made by the NTSB and PHMSA’s advisory bulletin issued January…
Low Stress Liquid Pipeline Exemption Issues
PHMSA has recently assessed a penalty against a liquid pipeline operator who claimed the “low stress piping” exemption for delivery pipeline segments at the end of a transmission pipeline system. Even though the pipeline segments were located downstream of a delivery facility, individually operated at low stress, and could be operated independently from the remainder…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – October 25 – 27, 2011
Join us October 25 – 27 in Houston at our new office and dedicated training facility for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance and OPA Planning for DOT Pipelines. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of pipeline personnel, with excellent feedback. The workshop provides an overview of the DOT pipeline…
Damage Prevention Workshop via LiveMeeting
Plan to log on and participate in the upcoming API/AOPL Damage Prevention “Workshop” via LiveMeeting. There will also be limited on-site seating at the RCP Offices at 801 Louisiana, Suite 200, Houston, Texas. The LiveMeeting will occur Tuesday, October 11 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm eastern time and will focus on damage prevention program…
ASME Pipeline Training – Downey, CA October 31 – November 4, 2011
The Pipeline Systems Division of ASME is conducting 3 pipeline training courses aimed at early career pipeline engineers. The week of courses will include: Pipeline Design, Construction, and Assessment (October 31 – November 2) Integrity Management (November 3) In-Line Inspection (November 4) Participants will be immersed in lectures and exercises designed to build practical knowledge.…