On November 20, 2018, PHMSA issued a final rule that amended the federal pipeline safety requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of plastic piping systems used in the transportation of natural or other gas (83 FR 58694). Subsequently, the American Gas Association (AGA) submitted a Petition for Reconsideration, requesting that PHMSA extend the compliance deadline for certain regulations and exempt mechanical fittings with nominal pipe sizes of 4 inches or greater from 49 CFR 2.281(e)(4). 

AGA requested an additional 90 days to implement training and operator qualification programs and work with equipment suppliers, and an additional six months to comply with certain provisions that require the development of new programs.  PHMSA notified AGA that the compliance deadlines suggested in the Petition are appropriate and do not compromise safety.

AGA also raised specific concerns about the category 1 requirements for larger diameter mechanical joints between plastic and metallic pipe and the applicability of § 192.281(e)(4).  PHMSA will delay the compliance deadline for category 1 requirements in § 192.281(e)(4) for joints between metallic and plastic pipe with a nominal pipe size of 4 inches or greater, until January 22, 2020.

For a copy of the AGA petition or PHMSA’s response, click here.

On November 20, 2018, PHMSA issued a final rule that amended the federal pipeline safety requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of plastic piping systems used in the transportation of natural or other gas (83 FR 58694). Subsequently, the American Gas Association (AGA) submitted a Petition for Reconsideration, requesting that PHMSA extend the compliance deadline for certain regulations and exempt mechanical fittings with nominal pipe sizes of 4 inches or greater from 49 CFR 2.281(e)(4). 

AGA requested an additional 90 days to implement training and operator qualification programs and work with equipment suppliers, and an additional six months to comply with certain provisions that require the development of new programs.  PHMSA notified AGA that the compliance deadlines suggested in the Petition are appropriate and do not compromise safety.

AGA also raised specific concerns about the category 1 requirements for larger diameter mechanical joints between plastic and metallic pipe and the applicability of § 192.281(e)(4).  PHMSA will delay the compliance deadline for category 1 requirements in § 192.281(e)(4) for joints between metallic and plastic pipe with a nominal pipe size of 4 inches or greater, until January 22, 2020.

For a copy of the AGA petition or PHMSA’s response, click here.

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0136]

The Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) meeting originally planned for January 2019 has been rescheduled for June 25^th and 26^th.  (See related article in the January 2019 edition of the DOT Pipeline Compliance News). The agenda for the meeting is the Gas Gathering NPRM.  This meeting will be Webcast. The Joint PAC meeting will be rescheduled for a later date. For more information and updates on the rescheduled meeting dates and registration, go to the meeting page.

The PHMSA Public Awareness and Engagement Workshop that was originally scheduled for March 13-14 has been rescheduled. The tentative date for the workshop is June 12-13, 2019 at the DOT HQ Building in Washington, DC. Save the dates if you are interested in attending, or participating via webcast. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

API released the third edition of API RP 1160: Managing System Integrity for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines. The third edition of RP 1160 incorporates recent industry experiences surrounding pipeline mechanics, while embracing a proactive approach to pipeline safety management. This standard will assist pipeline operators in building safe, contemporary, and comprehensive integrity management systems

RP 1160 also provides a process for establishing safe pipeline operations, including assessments of potential risks and the establishment of systems to safely and effectively manage day-to-day operations. The document contains references to leading industry publications, such as pipeline leak detection (API RP 1175), assessment and management of cracking in pipelines (API RP 1176), integrity data management and integration (API RP 1178), and hydrotechnical hazards for pipelines located onshore or within coastal areas (API RP 1133).

RP 1160 is available at the API Publications Store website.  For questions, contact John Buflod at buflodj@api.org.

PHMSA Administrator Howard “Skip” Elliott will be the luncheon speaker on Tuesday, April 9 at the 2019 API Pipeline Conference. Elliott joined PHMSA following his retirement from CSX Transportation in Jacksonville, FL, where he served as Vice President of Public Safety, Health, Environment, and Security. Elliott’s portfolio at CSX included hazardous materials, transportation safety, homeland security, railroad policing, crisis management, environmental compliance and operations, occupational health management, and continuity of business operations.

CHAPTER 14. HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE SAFETY

The California Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the adoption of regulations/requirements for pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas. The primary objective of the proposed regulations is to protect these areas and state waters and wildlife by reducing the volume of hazardous liquid released in the event of a spill using best available technology (BAT). The proposed regulations identified for adoption include approximately twenty (20) new sections.

OSFM predicts the proposed regulations will cover approximately 600 miles of California’s intrastate pipelines and cost operators approximately $220 million over the next three years. The proposed regulations will require pipelines that operate in the coastal zone to use BAT for existing as well as new and replacement pipelines. The draft regulations attempt to define several key terms and outline processes to implement the BAT requirements.

BAT is defined as the “technology that provides the greatest degree of protection by limiting the quantity of oil released in a spill” and must consider processes used or available for purchase anywhere in the world.  Pipeline operators are tasked with reviewing available processes and equipment and proposing BAT for their pipelines. The operators must consider leak detection technology, automatic shutoff systems, and/or remote controlled sectionalized block valves. OSFM will review proposals submitted by the operators and determine whether the proposal meets BAT requirements. The proposed regulations outline factors OSFM will consider including feasibility and site-specific conditions. The regulations would require operators of all existing pipelines to submit a risk analysis and an initial BAT implementation plan by July 2020.

Submit written comments to diane.arend@fire.ca.gov by April 2, 2019, 5:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Include in the subject line of the email:  Comments – Pipeline Safety-New Technologies, T19, Division 1.

Additional information regarding this NPRM can be found on the OSFM website, or contact Jessica Foley for a copy of the proposed regulations.

CHAPTER 14. HAZARDOUS LIQUID PIPELINE SAFETY

The California Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the adoption of regulations/requirements for pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas. The primary objective of the proposed regulations is to protect these areas and state waters and wildlife by reducing the volume of hazardous liquid released in the event of a spill using best available technology (BAT). The proposed regulations identified for adoption include approximately twenty (20) new sections.

OSFM predicts the proposed regulations will cover approximately 600 miles of California’s intrastate pipelines and cost operators approximately $220 million over the next three years. The proposed regulations will require pipelines that operate in the coastal zone to use BAT for existing as well as new and replacement pipelines. The draft regulations attempt to define several key terms and outline processes to implement the BAT requirements.

BAT is defined as the “technology that provides the greatest degree of protection by limiting the quantity of oil released in a spill” and must consider processes used or available for purchase anywhere in the world.  Pipeline operators are tasked with reviewing available processes and equipment and proposing BAT for their pipelines. The operators must consider leak detection technology, automatic shutoff systems, and/or remote controlled sectionalized block valves. OSFM will review proposals submitted by the operators and determine whether the proposal meets BAT requirements. The proposed regulations outline factors OSFM will consider including feasibility and site-specific conditions. The regulations would require operators of all existing pipelines to submit a risk analysis and an initial BAT implementation plan by July 2020.

Submit written comments to diane.arend@fire.ca.gov by April 2, 2019, 5:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Include in the subject line of the email:  Comments – Pipeline Safety-New Technologies, T19, Division 1.

Additional information regarding this NPRM can be found on the OSFM website, or contact Jessica Foley for a copy of the proposed regulations.