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  1. PHMSA Proposed Rule – Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform
  2. EPA Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule

PHMSA Proposed Rule – Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0046]

PHMSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that contains a variety of misc. modifications to the existing gas pipeline regulations in 49 CFR 191 and 192. The proposed rule changes are intended to ease regulatory burdens on the construction, maintenance and operation of gas transmission, distribution, and gathering pipeline systems. PHMSA expects the NPRM to be published in the Federal Register on June 9th. The proposed changes include:

  • Provide flexibility in the inspection requirements for farm taps;
  • Repeal distribution integrity management program (DIMP) requirements for master meter operators;
  • Repeal submission requirements for the mechanical fitting failure (MFF) reports (but retain annual reports);
  • Adjust the monetary damage threshold for reporting incidents for inflation (but not change any other reporting criteria);
  • Allow remote monitoring of rectifier stations;
  • Revise the inspection interval for monitoring atmospheric corrosion on gas distribution service pipelines from 3 to 5 years;
  • Update the design factor for polyethylene (PE) pipe from 0.32 to 0.40 and raise the maximum diameter limit;
  • Revise test requirements for pressure vessels from 1.5 to 1.3, to be consistent with American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPVC);
  • Revise welder requalification requirements from 6 months to 7.5 months to be consistent with API 1104; and
  • Extend the allowance for pre-tested short segments of pipe and fabricated units to pipelines operating at a hoop stress less than 30 percent of the specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) and above 100 pounds per square inch (psi).

Comments are due by August 10th and can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Include Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0046 when submitting comments.

Editor’s note to all you Really Cool People:  These proposed changes appear to be tweaking existing requirements – many of which are to align the regulations with current technology and standards. 

For a copy of this NPRM, contact Jessica Foley.