Join us February 28, 29 & March 01 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 regulations, and is appropriate for people who are new to pipeline regulations, who could use a refresher, or anyone who needs to know the latest information in these areas.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Day 1 (February 28): Gas Pipeline Regulations (49CFR192)
The workshop will include an introduction to DOT/OPS pipeline compliance; State and Federal program variations; roles and responsibilities; design, construction, operations, maintenance, and emergency response requirements; how to monitor rulemaking activity and stay current with your compliance program; operator qualification, public awareness; with a specific emphasis on the gas integrity management regulations. Each attendee will receive general training materials which include the applicable DOT 49 CFR 192 regulations for gas pipelines (cd-rom), inspection checklists, and speaker’s PowerPoint presentation handouts.

Day 2 (February 29): Special Topics
Back by popular demand! RCP is conducting a special workshop day to discuss topics that many of our clients have expressed an interest in. The workshop topics will include a detailed review of the recently enacted Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (pipeline reauthorization bill).

Day 3 (March 01): Liquid Pipeline Regulations (49CFR195)
The workshop will include an introduction to DOT/OPS pipeline compliance; State and Federal program variations, roles and responsibilities; design, construction, operations, maintenance, and emergency response requirements; spill response planning requirements; how to monitor rulemaking activity and stay current with your compliance program; operator qualification and public awareness. Each attendee will receive general training materials which include the applicable DOT 49 CFR 195 regulations for hazardous liquid pipelines (cd-rom), inspection checklists, and speaker’s PowerPoint presentation handouts.

To register, or for additional information, click here.

[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0001]

The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-01 regarding the Implementation of the National Registry of Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Operators which became effective on January 1, 2012. PHMSA has issued this advisory bulletin to clarify the implementation of the national pipeline operator registry.

PHMSA published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 26, 2010, (75 FR 72878), titled: “Pipeline Safety: Updates to Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Reporting Requirements.” The final rule added two new sections, 49 CFR 191.22 and 195.64, to the pipeline safety regulations for the establishment of a national pipeline operator registry. The national pipeline operator registry is primarily applicable to operators that file electronic reports.

The registry will be used by pipeline operators to obtain an Operator Identification (OPID) Number and notify PHMSA of certain actions. Operators will use the OPID number for electronic submissions such as incident and annual reports. The national pipeline operator registry will also be used to provide PHMSA with operator notifications related to actions such as company name changes, certain construction activities, and project planning.

The table below identifies the expected submission dates for the various submissions that are related to the national pipeline operator registry.

Details on how to file submissions can be found on the DOT website. Any questions regarding the filing of national pipeline operator registry submissions can be directed to the Office of Pipeline Safety operator helpline at (202) 366–8075.

For a copy Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-01, contact Jessica Roger.

Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0026

On November 29, 2011, PHMSA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled: “Miscellaneous Changes to Pipeline Safety Regulations” seeking comments on the need for changes to the regulations covering pipeline safety regulations. (See related story in the December Edition of the DOT Compliance News.) The Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports Ad Hoc Large Diameter Line Pipe Producers Group Transportation Subcommittee and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America petitioned PHMSA to extend the comment period. PHMSA is granting these requests and extending the comment period from February, 3, 2012, to March 6, 2012. Comments may be submitted to the E-Gov Web Site, and reference docket number PHMSA–2010–0026.

Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0009

On November 25, 2011, PHMSA published in the Federal Register an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), titled: “Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences.” (See related story in the December Edition of the DOT Compliance News.) The ANPRM sought public comment on several issues related to expanding the use of EFVs in gas distribution systems. On January 10, 2012, PHMSA received a request to extend the comment period to provide additional time to respond to the ANPRM. In light of that request, PHMSA is extending the comment period from February 18, 2012, to March 19, 2012. Comments may be submitted to the E-Gov Web Site, and reference docket number PHMSA-2011-0009.

Docket M-2012-2282031

The Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act (also known as “the Pipeline Act” or Act 127 of 2011) was signed by Governor Corbett on Dec. 22, 2011 and goes into effect on Feb. 20, 2012. This law expands the Commission’s authority to enforce federal pipeline safety laws as they relate to gas and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pipeline Act requires the Commission to develop and maintain a registry of pipeline operators within Pennsylvania.

On Jan. 12, 2012, the PUC issued a tentative implementation order. It addresses the Act 127 initiatives of creating a statewide registry for non-public utility gas and hazardous liquids pipeline equipment and facilities within the Commonwealth; conducting safety inspections to enforce Federal pipeline safety laws on certain classifications of pipeline; and assessing entities for the costs. The PUC has also prepared a list of frequently asked questions on Act 127 to assist interested parties, and has created a special website for this Pipeline Safety Act 127.

For a copy of Pennsylvania PUC’s Pipeline Safety Act 127, FAQs, or Tentative Implementation Order, contact Jessica Roger.

The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) has proposed rule changes to Chapter 8 and 18 that would align all penalty guidelines with existing Pipeline Safety penalty guidelines, creating consistency and transparency agency-wide.

16 TAC Chapter 8 – Pipeline Safety Regulations
TRRC proposes to amend §8.135, relating to Penalty Guidelines for Pipeline Safety Violations. The proposed amendments would add violations for rules adopted since the penalty guidelines were initially adopted, and will increase penalties for some violations that are currently in the rule. The matrix will include typical penalty amounts for violations of the statutes cited above or the provisions of a rule adopted or an order, license, permit, or certificate issued under those statutes, as well as guidelines for penalty enhancements based on the severity of the violation, the culpability of the person charged, any prior violations within past seven years, and the amount of previous penalties for violations within the past seven years.

16 TAC Chapter 18 – Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention
TRRC proposes to amend §18.12 relating to Penalty Guidelines, to add new violations to the current list, increase penalty amounts for some violations, and to include provisions for penalty enhancements for certain types of violations.

Comments for both Chapter 8 and 18 Rule changes are due before March 12, 2012 and can be submitted online at the TRRC website.

For a copy of TRRC’s Chapter 8 & 18 proposed rule changes, contact Jessica Roger.

It’s not too early to make plans to attend these upcoming events. RCP will have representatives and/or presentations at each of these conferences. We hope to see you there!

SGA Spring Gas Conference and Expo
Charlotte, NC
March 19 – 22

API 2012 Pipeline Conference
Phoenix, AZ
April 17 – 19

AGA Operations Conference
San Francisco, CA
May 1 – May 4

LGA 191/192 & 195 Pipeline Safety Conference
New Orleans, LA
July 23 -27

SGA Operating Conference & Exhibits
Ft. Worth, TX
July 23 – 25

International Pipeline Conference
Calgary, Canada
September 24 – 28

The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is conducting a 2-day workshop on “Improving Pipeline Leak Detection System Effectiveness and Understanding the Application of Automatic/Remote Control Valves.” This event is to provide an open forum for exchanging information on leak detection systems and Automatic/Remote Control Valves for hazardous liquids and natural gas pipelines.

• March 27 will focus specifically on leak detection systems.
• March 28 will focus on automatic/remote control valves.

The 2-day workshop will be held at the Hilton Washington DC / Rockville Hotel from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A draft Agenda, hotel and on-line registration information can be found on PHMSA’s website.

The workshop will also be webcasted in its entirety and no prior registration is required for the webcast.

Your humble newsletter editor reviews a digest of the Federal Register on a daily basis. Some titles just grab my attention. For example, this notice on January 27, 2012 at 77 FR 4398 (Vol. 77, No. 18):

• Safety Advisory Notice: Return of Radioactively Contaminated Tissue Holders Purchased From Bed Bath and Beyond

I hope my bathroom tissues aren’t giving me brain cancer. Don’t say you weren’t warned!