The annual AGA Operations Conference is the natural gas industry’s premier gathering of natural gas utility and transmission company operations management from across North America and the world for the sharing of technical knowledge, ideas and practices to promote the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of natural gas to the end-user. RCP invites you to…
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PHMSA Publishes Updated Inspection Protocols
PHMSA has posted the latest inspection protocols on their website for the following: Form 1 Standard Inspection Report of a Gas Transmission Pipeline Form 2 Standard Inspection Report of a Gas Distribution Operator Form 3 Standard Inspection of a Liquid Pipeline Carrier These forms along with other inspection reports that were updated in March can…
PHMSA Reporting Webinars for Gas Pipelines
PHMSA has scheduled a series of webinars to train users on the functionality of the new online reporting form for gas pipeline operators. Users can register for these sessions at: http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/webinars. INTRAstate operators only 6/21/2011 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT Gas Transmission Annual Report Training – This webinar will show operators with only INTRAstate…
Public Webinars on Implementation of Distribution Integrity Management Programs
[Docket ID PHMSA-2011-0084] PHMSA will conduct two webinars to discuss recent findings and general observations from the pilot DIMP inspections; expectations for operators in implementing their plan; DIMP inspection forms; and a question and answer session. The Preliminary Agenda for each Webinar is listed below. The webinars will be held on: May 10, 2011, 10:30…
Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Report
On December 16, 2010, the U. S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) Report, “Partnering to Further Enhance Pipeline Safety In Communities Through Risk-Informed Land Use Planning.”” The PIPA Report was developed by a structured group of representatives from local governments, public stakeholders,…
DOT Pipeline Safety Awareness Website
On the same day as the Pipeline Safety Forum in DC (April 18), PHMSA launched a new Pipeline Safety Awareness website that will provide the public, community planners and developers an easy to understand, accessible place for information and guidance on locating area pipelines. The new website is part of the Department’s pipeline safety action…
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – May 10-12, 2011
Join us May 10 – 12 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…
RCP Continues to Add More Firepower to its Staff
John Godfrey recently joined RCP as an Executive Consultant. With 24+ years of pipeline industry experience as a Vice President of Quality Assurance for a leading pipe manufacturer, and Manager of Asset Integrity, Operations Manager, and Manager of Pipeline Engineering for major pipeline companies, John brings a wealth of knowledge and regulatory expertise to RCP’s…
811 Wins at Talladega!
National Safe Digging Month was supported through many nationwide efforts, including one of the most popular races of the season. Kevin Harvick raced the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet to victory lane and celebrated his first points win of the season just recently in Talladega. During the race, Harvick helped celebrate National Safe Digging month, by…
Students Learn Important Lessons about Underground Utility Safety
The Educational Programs Committee of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) partnered with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to design an underground utility safety curriculum for Safety Day events throughout the United States. Safety Days are one-day events that teach children safety lessons to keep them safe at home, on a farm or ranch. The goal is…
RCP Adds More Experience to its Roster
In March/April, RCP added two new employees to our roster. Gary Welch, PHD, recently joined RCP as an Executive Consultant. In his 32 years of industry experience, Gary has demonstrated his expertise in several technical disciplines including nearly all aspects of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE), corrosion research and materials selection, and production engineering.…
PHMSA/RRC Pipeline Safety Seminar June 16 – 18, 2010 in Corpus Christi
The Texas Gas Association (TGA) will be hosting the Texas PHMSA/RRC pipeline safety seminar immediately following the O&M Conference. PHMSA will be discussing and instructing on requirements of 191, 192 and 195. The natural gas portion of the pipelines seminar will be on Wednesday and Thursday and the liquid portion will run from Thursday to…
TGA O&M Conference June 13-16, 2010 in Corpus Christi
Meet us at the 2010 TGA Operations Conference at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. RCP representatives will be attending the conference and look forward to meeting you. Bill Byrd will be speaking on SPCC issues at a breakout session on Tuesday, June 15 and will provide a regulatory overview to liquid operators…
RCP President Elected to SERAD Executive Committee
RCP is proud to announce that its President, Bill Byrd, PE, has been elected to the Executive Committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering’s Safety Engineering and Risk Analysis Division (SERAD). The interests of SERAD extend across most of the other ASME Divisions. This Division works with industry, ASME Codes & Standards, and other…
AGA Operations Conference May 11-14, 2010 in New Orleans
Meet us at the 2010 AGA Operations Conference at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans. RCP representatives will be attending the conference and look forward to meeting you. If you plan on attending, mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 12, for Chris Foley’s presentation on Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP). This presentation will describe…
PHMSA Announces New Central Region Director
PHMSA has announced the appointment of David (Dave) A. Barrett as Director, Central Region for the Office of Pipeline Safety. Dave joined PHMSA in 2000 as an engineer in the Central Region office in Kansas City. During his career at PHMSA, Dave has had increasing responsibilities as a project manager, and most recently as supervisor…
Proposed Changes to Gas Pipeline Regulations in Maine
[Docket No. 2010-106] The Public Utilities Commission in Maine has initiated a rulemaking to repeal and replace Chapter 420 of its rules on safety standards for natural gas transmission and distribution systems and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. The proposed Chapter 420 includes the federal requirements that the Commission must enforce as a certified agent…
Proposed Changes to TRRC – TCEQ Memorandum of Understanding
The Railroad Commission of Texas has proposed amendments to 16 TAC §3.30, relating to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as found in Title 16, Part 1, Chapter 3 of the Texas Administrative Code. The proposed amendments affect the Texas Health and…
Revision to Effective Date for Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is changing the effective date of the Revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines) from May 1, 2010, to October 1, 2010. The Mandatory Guidelines establish the scientific and technical guidelines for drug testing programs and establish standards for certification of…
Public Awareness Effectiveness Evaluations due June 2010
The clock is ticking on the due date on completion of effectiveness surveys for operators implementing public awareness programs. Most plans must be completed by June, 2010 to be in compliance with the regulations. According to API RP 1162, operators should conduct these effectiveness evaluations “no more than four years apart.” The effectiveness evaluation is…