OPS has announced another public meeting to discuss the regulation of gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines (see our November 2003 newsletter for additional detail). Congress has directed RSPA to define “gathering line” for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation and, if appropriate, define as “regulated gathering line” those rural gathering lines that, because of specific physical characteristics, should be regulated. The gas pipeline regulations do not clearly distinguish gathering lines from production facilities and transmission lines. This lack of clarity has caused many disputes between government and industry over whether the regulations cover particular pipelines. The definition of liquid gathering lines has not been as unclear, but it is also being re-evaluated.
The public meeting will occur Tuesday, December 16, 2003, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Wednesday, December 17, 2003, from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown, 820 W. 7th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99506 phone: (907) 279-8000. You may participate in the meeting by making oral or written comments about any of the topics discussed in this notice. OPS will consider all public comments in developing future proposals on gathering lines. The deadline for submitting written comments is January 17, 2004 [Docket No. RSPA-98-4868 (gas); and RSPA-03-15864 (liquid)].