The Louisiana Office of Conservation has proposed to promulgate new definitions for master meter, school and special class gas systems in :AC 43:XIII.125 et seq. in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq., and pursuant to the power delegated under the laws of the state of Louisiana. In accordance with the provisions of R.S. 49:950 et seq. and R.S/ 30:557.G, notice is hereby given that the commissioner of Conservation will conduct a public hearing at 9 a.m., Monday, April 28, 2003, in the LaBelle Room located on the first floor of the LaSalle Building, 617 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA. A copy of the proposed regulations may be obtained by contacting Mariano Hinojosa at 225-342-5519 or by writing the Office of Conservation, Pipeline Division, P.O. Box 94275, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. All interested parties will be afforded the opportunity to submit comments regarding these new and amended regulations at the public hearing in accordance with R.S. 49:953. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m., Monday, May 5, 2003, at the following address: Office of Conservation, Pipeline Division, P.O. Box 94275, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, Re: Docket No. PL 03- 004.
The proposed new and amended definitions will clarify pipeline safety responsibilities of master meter, school and special class gas system operators. The proposed definitions are:
125. Definitions
Master Meter System – a pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to, a definable area such as a mobile home park, housing project, apartment complex or university, where the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as by rents.
Special Class System – a pipeline system for distributing gas to a federal, state or local government facility or a private facility performing a government function, where the operator receives or purchases gas from an outside source, and distributes the gas through a pipeline system to more than one outlet beyond the meter or regulator, which ultimate outlet may, but need not be, individually metered or charged a fee for the gas. Any exemption from pipeline safety regulation granted to master meter systems will apply to Special Class Systems.
School System – a pipeline system for distributing natural gas to a public or private pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, secondary, or high school. Upon request for a revision of service by the school, or by the school system of which the school is a component, the local distribution company providing natural gas service to the school shall install a meter at the building wall of each building of the school that utilizes natural gas. The gas piping from the outlet of the meter to the inside of the building shall be installed above ground, and shall be maintained by the school in accordance with requirements of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The outside piping that is upstream of the meter to the outlet of the meter shall be owned and maintained by the local distribution company in accordance with Minimum Pipeline Safety Regulations. The pipeline system of a school that does not request the revision of service described by this paragraph shall be deemed a Special Class System, and subject to the requirements of such system.