PHMSA will hold a joint public meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) on July 22 and 23 to discuss the PHMSA Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards NPRM. The NPRM was published on February 6, 2020 and the comment period ends on April 6, 2020.…
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PHMSA publishes final rule: Safety of Underground Natural Gas Storage Facilities
On February 12th, PHMSA published a final rule to amend its minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (UNGSFs). On December 19, 2016, PHMSA issued another final rule establishing regulations in response to the 2015 Aliso Canyon incident and the subsequent mandate in section 12 of the PIPES Act of 2016. The rule…
Changes to the PHMSA Incident forms for Gas Distribution, Gas Transmission & Gathering, and Liquified Natural Gas Reports
Several changes to the required incident forms for Gas Distribution, Transmission, and LNG unintentional releases will occur shortly. This article focuses on the Gas Transmission and Gathering incident form changes, though these changes will appear in each incident report. The changes include: Question and answer choices focusing on the chronological event log and operator actions.…
PHMSA Houston-area Meetings February 25-27
Marriott Hotel in sugar land, Texas PHMSA is holding 3 days of Operator and public meetings at the Marriott Hotel in Sugar Land, Texas on February 25-27. If you wish to attend the Operator meeting, please RSVP no later than February 12, 2020. Registration, agenda and hotel information can be found on the PHMSA meetings webpage.…
PHMSA NPRM Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0255] PHMSA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), “Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to Require Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards” is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on February 6th. PHMSA is proposing to revise the Pipeline Safety Regulations applicable to newly constructed and entirely replaced onshore natural gas…
Gas Transmission & Hazardous Liquid Draft FAQs Posted
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0225] PHMSA has released draft frequently asked questions (Gas FAQs and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline FAQs) with draft answers to guide implementation of both final rules issued on October 1, 2019. PHMSA requests comments on the drafts by February 11, 2020 to facilitate discussion at the meetings on pipeline safety issues scheduled on February…
OMB Public Comments on Improving / Reforming Regulatory Enforcement
[Docket No. OMB–2019–0006] Have an opinion about regulatory enforcement, with supporting examples? Here’s your chance to tell inspectors and regulators what you think! The Office of Management Budget (OMB) wants to hear from you. Interested parties should submit comments identified by Docket No. OMB–2019–0006, to www.regulations.gov. Comments are open until March 16. For a list…
TRRC Pipeline Mileage Fees Due April 1
The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) is reminding pipeline operators that their 2020 pipeline mileage fees are due April 1, 2020. Operators will use the number of miles they have permitted as of December 31, 2019 to calculate their 2020 pipeline mileage fee. This year’s mileage charts and other information on the fees can be found…
National Pipeline Mapping System Revisions
Every operator of a pipeline facility (except distribution lines and gas gathering lines) must provide PHMSA geospatial data, attributes, metadata, contact information and a transmittal letter appropriate for use in the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Operators submit this information each year on or before March 15 for gas transmission and LNG plant operators, or…
Pipeline Research & Development Forum
February 19-20, 2020 The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will hold their next Pipeline R&D Forum on February 19-20, 2020 in Arlington, VA from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. On-site registration will begin at 7:00 a.m. on both days. The forum allows public, government and industry pipeline stakeholders to develop recommendations on the…
2020 Industry Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending the following conferences. We hope to see you there! Pipeline Pigging and Integrity Management (PPIM) ConferenceFebruary 17-21, 2020George R. Brown Convention Center; Houston, TXRCP Booth #412 / Be our Guest and Click Here for a Free Exhibition Pass. PPIM is…
PHMSA 2020 D&A Testing Rate
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0208] PHMSA published in the Federal Register (page 72134-5) on December 30, 2019 the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees for 2020. The test rate will remain at 50%.
PHMSA LNG by Rail Proposed Rule, Extension of Comment Period
[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0025 (HM-264); Notice No. 2019-14] On October 24, 2019, PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), entitled ‘‘Hazardous Materials: Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail (HM–264)’’ proposing changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations to allow for the bulk transport of Methane, refrigerated liquid, commonly known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), in rail tank…
TRRC Updates 16 TAC 8B Requirement for All Pipelines
Effective January 6, 2020, the Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) has made changes to 16 TAC 8B Requirement for All Pipelines regarding the regulation of gathering lines, new construction requirements and numerous new entries into the Typical Penalties and Penalty calculation tables. Operators of natural gas gathering pipelines located in Class 1 locations and hazardous…
TRRC Updates 16 TAC 8D Accident Reporting Deadlines
Effective January 6, 2020, the Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) has made changes to accident reporting deadlines, annual report retention, and Facility Response Plan retention for intrastate Hazardous Liquids and Carbon Dioxide pipelines under 16 TAC 8D. All annual reports required under 49 CFR 195 are to be retained by the operator, rather than submitted…
Colorado Proposed Gas Rule Changes
[Proceeding #19R-0703GPS] The Colorado Public Utilities Commission proposed in the December 25, 2019 Colorado Register a significant gas rule change. The Public Utilities Commission is proposing the removal of most of the Gas Pipeline Safety section of 4 CCR 723-4 (4900) and republishing it as a new section 11 of 4 CCR 723. The new…
LDNR Notice of Intent to Amend Chapter 27 Damage Prevention Regulation
[Docket No. PRA 2020-01] In the December 20, 2019 Louisiana Register Vol. 45, No. 12, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to amend the Damage Prevention regulations in LAC 43:XI, Subpart 6, Chapter 27. LDNR is accepting public comments on this NOI. Written comments will be accepted by…
Pipeline Incident Prevention Best Practices Guide
The Council for Dredging & Marine Construction Safety (CDMCS) has published “Pipeline Incident Prevention,” a damage prevention guide for both the dredging and marine industries. This recommended best practices guide is for the safe dredging near underwater gas and hazardous liquid pipelines located in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers federal navigation channels. The “Pipeline Incident…
Pipeline Advisory Committee Spring Meeting Postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned March PAC meeting has been postponed and will be rescheduled. Check the PHMSA Meetings webpage for updated information.
What can TaskOp™ do for you? Webinar
february 17, 2020 New Regulations have you Stressed Out…Don’t Panic…TaskOp™ has your back This webinar will demonstrate how TaskOp™ can be used to track all of the complex activities associated with the new gas transmission and hazardous liquid regulations. Manage inventory of all segments with non-TVC records through the lifespan of MAOP reconfirmation and material…