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In This Issue

  1. DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – August 17-18, 2005
  2. Need to update your Public Awareness Program?
  3. New Rule for Pipeline Operator Public Awareness Programs
  4. Integrity Management Services
  5. Public Meeting on Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Service Lines, June 17, 2005
  6. Need help with the new Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) deadline?
  7. Misc. Texas Pipeline Safety Rule Changes
  8. RCP Services Spotlight – Underwater Inspection Procedures and Interval Risk Modeling
  9. O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
  10. Meetings of the Pipeline Safety Advisory Committees, June 15-16, 2005
  11. Need to Update Your Current Operator Qualification Program?
  12. Advisory Bulletin ADB-05-03, Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities in the Vicinity of Electric and other Utilities
  13. Integrity Management Plan Up-to-Date?
  14. Coast Guard Releases OPA 90 Report
  15. Are Your Response Plans Current?
  16. DOT/PHMSA Permit Streamlining for Pipeline Repairs Public Meeting Notes
  17. Notes from the Public Meeting to Discuss Technical Issues Associated with the NPDES Stormwater Permit Coverage for Small Oil and Gas Construction Activities

Public Meeting on Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Service Lines, June 17, 2005

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is sponsoring a public meeting on the use of Excess Flow Valves in gas distribution safety lines as a technique for mitigating the consequences of service line incidents. EFVs are devices designed to be installed in gas service lines, the pipelines that carry gas from a distribution main to each individual customer. They automatically shut off the flow of natural gas in a service line when the line is ruptured. Proper operation of an EFV would minimize or eliminate safety consequences from fires caused by escaped gas. EFVs will not shut off flow in response to a leak in a building or in response to a slow leak, such as a leak caused by corrosion or a small crack in the service line. If an EFV activates improperly when there is no line break, i.e., spurious actuation, it would cut off gas flow to the customer. Much work is ongoing and stakeholders have taken various positions regarding the need to require use of EFVs. The benefit-cost analysis does not appear to support a requirement mandating installation of EFVs. This meeting will update the public on the continuing EFV activities and provide interested stakeholders an opportunity to present their positions for and against a requirement to use EFVs. Therefore, PHMSA/OPS encourages interested members of the public to attend the meeting and to share their views on EFVs. These views will be considered in making decisions regarding the mandatory use of EFVs.

The preliminary agenda for this meeting includes briefings on the following topics:

  • Operator Case Studies and Experience
  • Analysis of Recent Incident Data
  • NTSB Position and Recommendation
  • Views of State Regulatory Commissioners
  • Views of State Fire Marshals
  • Views of EFV Manufacturers
  • Views of Industry Trade Associations
  • A study for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) conducted by the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI)
  • Distribution Integrity Management Program role in EFVs

    The meeting will be held on June 17, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton hotel, Pentagon City, 1250 South Hays Street, Arlington, VA 22202. The phone number for hotel reservations is (703) 415-5000 or 1-(800)-241-3333. Attendees staying at the hotel must make reservations by May 30. For further information contact: Mike Israni (PHMSA/OPS) at 202-366-4571; mike.israni@dot.gov, regarding the subject matter of this notice. For information regarding meeting logistics, please contact Cheryl Whetsel at 202-366-4431; cheryl.whetsel@dot.gov.