On Tuesday, February 6, 2001, at 9 AM, the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) will meet. The preliminary agenda includes discussion of the following issues:
- Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Gas Transmission Pipeline)
- Revision to Gas Incident/Annual Report Form
- Gas Gathering Line Definition
- Plastic Pipe Data Committee
On Tuesday, February 6, 2001, from 1-4 PM, the TPSSC will be joined by members of the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) for a joint session. The preliminary agenda includes discussion of the following topics:
- An Overview of the State of the Pipeline Safety Program (including Reauthorization, Inspector General and General Accounting Office Reports, and National Transportation Safety Board Recommendations, Research and Development Plans).
- Drug Testing-Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Vote).
On Wednesday, February 7, 2001, from 9-11 AM, the joint meeting will continue with a demonstration of the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). The Committee will also hear a report on concepts for community right-to-know reporting.
The Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee will meet on Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 PM. The preliminary agenda includes discussion of the following topics:
- Producer-Operated Outer Continental Shelf Gas & Hazardous Liquid Pipelines that Cross Directly into State Water-Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Vote).
- Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines < 500 Miles-Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Vote).
- Controlling Corrosion on Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines-Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Vote).
- Advisory on Response Plans Under the Oil Pollution Act.
Both the TPSSC and the THLPSSC are statutorily mandated advisory committees that advise the RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) on proposed safety standards and other safety policies for hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines. The committees typically meet twice a year, in May and November. However, the next advisory committee meetings will be held on February 6-7, 2001, to allow the committees to review several proposed rules early in the year to allow for the timely completion of these projects. (Editor's note: the agendas above give a very clear indication of rulemakings that can be expected in 2001).
The conference room numbers for these meetings will be posted on the OPS web page approximately 15 days before the meeting date at http://ops.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Whetsel, OPS, (202) 366-4431 or Richard Huriaux, OPS, (202) 366-4565.