In This Issue

PHMSA Revisions to OPID Assignment Request and National Registry Notification

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0078]

PHMSA published a notice & request for comments for the revision of the Operator Assignment Request (PHMSA F 1000.1) and National Registry Notification (PHMSA F 1000.2) currently approved under OMB control number 2137–0627.

PHMSA intends to revise the OPID Assignment Request form and its instructions by adding ‘‘Underground Natural Gas Storage’’ as an additional facility type in step 2 of the form, and proposes modifying step 3 to indicate the safety programs required for underground natural gas storage facilities. PHMSA proposes modifying the instructions to explain PHMSA’s past actions for small LPG and master meter operators and future expectations for these operators. Adding this information to the instructions would provide clarity for operators and state agencies inspecting the operators.

PHMSA intends to revise the National Registry Notification form and its instructions, including changing the name of the form from ‘‘Operator Registry Notification’’ to ‘‘National Registry Notification’’ to match the wording of the PHMSA regulations requiring the notifications. PHMSA proposes adding ‘‘Underground Natural Gas Storage’’ as an additional facility type in steps 1 and 3 of the form. Other changes to the form include:

  • PHMSA proposes modifying the type C portion of the form to indicate the safety programs required for underground natural gas storage facilities.
  • Operators report various types of construction projects to PHMSA in type F notifications. PHMSA proposes adding a single-select field to describe the main purpose of the construction project.
  • The type J notification section assumes that all LNG construction builds new facilities. PHMSA proposes modifying the type J section to recognize that a notification may be submitted for rehabilitation or replacement of LNG facilities.
  • In step 3 of the form, PHMSA collects data about the location of the facilities covered by the notification. When the notification covers onshore gas gathering, gas transmission, or hazardous liquid pipelines, step 3 data includes the county(ies) for the pipelines. PHMSA uses this county data to associate the notification to a specific portion of the operator’s pipeline system. When the notification covers onshore gas gathering, gas transmission, hazardous liquid facilities, or offshore pipelines or facilities, county data is not collected. PHMSA proposes modifying the form to collect county data for onshore gas gathering, gas transmission, and hazardous liquid facilities, and offshore pipelines and facilities. This change would allow PHMSA to associate each notification to a specific portion of the operator’s pipeline system.

PHMSA invites comments on the proposed revisions on or before October 9, 2018. Use the Docket number when submitting comments via the E-Gov Website. For a copy of PHMSA’s notice from the Federal Register, contact Jessica Foley.