[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0061]

The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a notice and request for comments on proposed revisions to the PHMSA F7000-1 form for hazardous liquid pipeline accident reports. PHMSA proposes to revise the instructions directing the industry on how to report the volume spilled and volume recovered, accident time sequence, and National Response Center report number, and seeks additional information for certain low consequence events. The Notice also proposes to incorporate by reference, the API 1130 standard for leak detection systems.

Submit comments on or before June 24, 2013 via the E-Gov website and reference the docket number.

For a copy of this notice and proposed changes to the Hazardous Liquid Accident Report Form, contact Jessica Roger.

Join us May 14 – 16, 2013 in Houston at our new office and dedicated training facility for an informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance topics . The workshop provides an overview of the DOT pipeline regulations in 49 CFR 191, 192, 194, 195, and 199. It also describes pipeline operations and engineering concepts. It is appropriate for people who are new to pipeline regulations, who could use a refresher, or anyone who needs to know the latest developments in these areas. This workshop will be a combined format (unlike our previous workshops), addressing both gas and liquid pipeline topics in parallel. This will eliminate some redundancy of materials, and will allow more time for in-depth discussions for each topic.

Topics to be addressed in the workshop include:

• An overview of DOT/OPS pipeline compliance requirements
• State and Federal agency roles for pipeline safety
• PHMSA Jurisdiction
• PHMSA Inspections and Enforcement Processes
• Engineering Concepts and Stress – Strain Relationships; %SMYS
• Design Requirements
• Construction Requirements
• Corrosion Control Concepts and Requirements
• Operations and Maintenance Requirements
• Emergency Response Requirements (including spill response planning requirements for liquid pipelines)
• Damage Prevention Programs
• Operator Qualification Programs
• Drug and Alcohol Programs
• Public Awareness Programs
• Integrity Management (gas and liquid) Programs
• Control Room Management Programs

We will also discuss the recently enacted Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (pipeline reauthorization bill), recent Advisory Bulletins from PHMSA, and new, pending and proposed rulemakings.

Each attendee will receive speaker’s PowerPoint presentation handouts in hard copy, and electronic copies of the applicable regulations and voluminous reference materials including rulemakings, letters of interpretation, and other guidance documents. The workshop will adjourn at 2 p.m. on the third day, for those who need to fly out Thursday evening.

To register for our workshop, click here.

On April 10, 2013, Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) amended its onshore pipeline safety regulations. The Regulations clarify requirements for federally regulated pipelines regarding management systems for the purpose of protecting the public, workers and the environment. The amendments require pipeline companies to appoint an accountability officer and implement other requirements dealing with security, integrity, and emergency management, and annual reporting. The Onshore Pipeline Regulations, 1999 were amended and renamed the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR).

Companies subject to the regulations must submit notification identifying their Accountable Officers (notification requirement in section 6.2 of the OPR) by May 10, 2013. Click on Company Submission Requirements for more details.

For a copy of the consolidated NEB Onshore Pipeline Regulations, contact Jessica Roger.

H.B. No. 2982

Legislation was introduced relating to the power of the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) to adopt and enforce safety standards and practices applicable to the transportation by pipeline of certain substances and to certain pipeline facilities. This legislation would provide the TRRC with expanded authority to regulate certain presently exempt intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines. House Bill (HB) 2982 would provide the TRRC with the authority to regulate (if justified) production, refining and manufacturing facilities and associated in-plant piping and storage. Such facilities are exempt from jurisdiction under the federal pipeline safety laws. The bill remains pending before the Texas House Energy Resources Committee.

For a copy of HB 2982, contact Jessica Roger.

June 19-20, 2013 Dallas, Texas

The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a two-day workshop to bring together pipeline safety public awareness stakeholders to discuss findings from recent federal and state public awareness inspections, and gain perspectives from various stakeholders on public awareness challenges and successes to identify ways to strengthen pipeline safety public awareness. Presentations from this workshop will be made available following the workshop.

Registration and hotel information can be found on the PHMSA website.