The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed $9.78 million in civil penalties against pipeline operators for alleged violations of federal law in 2013 – the highest yearly amount of proposed penalties in the agency’s history. Of the $9.78 million in proposed civil penalties for 2013, 22 cases representing $1,532,300 have been resolved. There…
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PHMSA Notice Gas Distribution Annual Report Revisions
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0004] PHMSA is preparing to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the revision of the gas distribution annual report currently approved under OMB control number 2137–0522. In addition to making several minor changes to the report, PHMSA will also request a new OMB control number for this information collection. Some…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-2014-02: Lessons Learned from the Release at Marshall, Michigan
[Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0020] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin to inform pipeline operators about the deficiencies identified in Enbridge’s integrity management program, control room operator training, and public awareness program which contributed to the accident at Marshall, Michigan. NTSB’s report on the Marshall, Michigan incident noted the probable…
Summer Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will have representatives and Exhibits at these upcoming conferences. Click on the links below for registration and hotel information. We hope to see you there! ESRI Petroleum GIS Conference May 7 – 9 (Houston, TX) George R. Brown Convention Center Look for us…
PHMSA Public Awareness Workshop
June 19-20, 2013 Dallas, Texas The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a two-day workshop to bring together pipeline safety public awareness stakeholders to discuss findings from recent federal and state public awareness inspections, and gain perspectives from various stakeholders on public awareness challenges and successes to identify ways to strengthen…
Texas Proposed Legislation and Expanded Authority to Regulate Pipelines
H.B. No. 2982 Legislation was introduced relating to the power of the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) to adopt and enforce safety standards and practices applicable to the transportation by pipeline of certain substances and to certain pipeline facilities. This legislation would provide the TRRC with expanded authority to regulate certain presently exempt intrastate hazardous liquid…
Canada NEB Updates Pipeline Safety Regulations SOR/99-294
On April 10, 2013, Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) amended its onshore pipeline safety regulations. The Regulations clarify requirements for federally regulated pipelines regarding management systems for the purpose of protecting the public, workers and the environment. The amendments require pipeline companies to appoint an accountability officer and implement other requirements dealing with security, integrity,…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 14 – 16, 2013
Join us May 14 – 16, 2013 in Houston at our new office and dedicated training facility for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance topics . The workshop provides an overview of the DOT pipeline regulations in 49 CFR 191, 192, 194, 195, and 199. It also describes pipeline operations and…
PHMSA Proposed Revisions to Hazardous Liquid Accident Report Form
[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0061] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to the PHMSA F7000-1 form for hazardous liquid pipeline accident reports. PHMSA proposes to revise the instructions directing the industry on how to report the volume spilled and volume recovered, accident time sequence,…
Summer / Fall Industry Conferences
Have you planned your summer agenda yet? RCP will have representatives attending these upcoming conferences. Mark your calendar and come join us! TGA Operations & Management Conference San Marcos, TX June 10 – 13 LGA 191/192 & 195 Pipeline Safety Conference New Orleans, LA July 23 -27 SGA Operating Conference & Exhibits Ft. Worth, TX…
Government/Industry Pipeline R&D Forum July 18-19 – Arlington, VA
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives are pleased to announce the next Pipeline Research & Development Forum is this July! These events are held periodically to generate a National research agenda that will foster solutions for the many challenges with pipeline safety and with protecting the…
PHMSA Recruiting for a Compliance Officer Open Period from May 3 – May 14, 2012
The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will be recruiting for a Compliance Officer, reporting to the Director, Enforcement Division. This person will help develop PHMSA’s pipeline enforcement program; guide the risk-based application of pipeline safety regulations, technical consensus engineering standards and compliance practices by natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators; work…
Louisiana Dig Law Has Changed
Late last year Governor Jindal signed into law significant changes in the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Act R.S. 40:1749, otherwise known as the state’s “dig law.” These changes affect everyone involved in excavation in Louisiana, including homeowners, contractors and utility operators. Waiting Period Changed Under the revised statute, utilities, pipelines and other…
Changes to New Mexico Pipeline Regulations March 2012
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission updated their regulations (18.60.2 and 8) concerning pipeline operations and maintenance in March. These updates affected many parts of the regulations including the following: Variances to the adopted federal regulations including reporting and items required for gathering pipelines. (18.60.2.8(B)) Items incorporated by reference and terms in the federal regulations…
Nebraska Major Oil Pipeline Act
The state of Nebraska has recently passed an act regulating “major oil pipelines.” As defined by the act: “Major oil pipeline means a pipeline which is larger than six inches in inside diameter and which is constructed in Nebraska for the transportation of petroleum, or petroleum components, products, or wastes, including crude oil or any…
Revised PHMSA Reporting Requirements – Notice and Request for Comments
[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0024] PHMSA plans to make several minor revisions to the hazardous liquid pipeline systems accident report and the gas transmission and gathering pipeline systems incident report. In addition, PHMSA is considering a number of revisions to the annual report form for gas transmission and gathering pipeline systems. Incident and Accident Report Revisions: PHMSA…
Engineering Ethics Course
May 31, 2012 – Houston, TX In support of the TBPE Outreach Program, RCP is hosting an engineering ethics course in our offices on May 31, conducted by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. Mr. Charles Pennington, P.E., Engineer Specialist with the Board, will be the guest speaker for a presentation on, “Texas Board of…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 15, 16 & 17, 2012
Join us May 15, 16 & 17 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…
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-06 MAOP MOP Records Verification
[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0068] The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB 2012-06 to remind operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to verify their records relating to operating specifications for maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) required by 49 CFR 192.517 and maximum operating pressure (MOP) required by 49 CFR…
PHMSA Technology Transfer Workshop June 23 – Columbus, OH
The PHMSA R&D Program is pleased to announce the up-coming Free R&D Technology Transfer Workshop: Matrix Phased-Array (MPA) Ultrasonic Testing for Pipeline Inspection. The purpose of this PHMSA funded workshop is to transfer MPA knowledge to the U.S. pipeline industry. During the recent NTSB hearing on the San Bruno, California incident this technology was one…