As mentioned in our January, 2003 newsletter, the Pipeline Safety Act of 2002 requires each owner or operator of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility, by December 17, 2003, to:
“…review its existing public education program for effectiveness and modify the program as necessary. The completed program shall include activities to advise affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of pipeline facility locations. The completed program shall be submitted to the Secretary or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency, and shall be periodically reviewed by the Secretary or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency. ”
Concurrent with this requirement, API is developing RP 1162 – Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators. This RP will address the items described in the law, and will hopefully be incorporated by reference into the DOT regulations at 49 CFR 192 and 195. Information about RP 1162 is available at committees.api.org/pipeline/standards/index.html. The Office of Pipeline Safety and the American Gas Association are planning two workshops concerning the law and implementation of RP 1162. They are tentatively scheduled for September 4 and 5 in Houston, TX, and September 16 and 17 in Baltimore, MD. The workshops will also be accessible via the internet.