Risk Management Programs (RMP’s) must be updated at least once every five years. The majority of facilities submitted their initial RMP’s by the original June 21, 1999 deadline. Most operating companies have not resubmitted their RMP’s since the original deadline. This means that most RMP’s must be fully updated and resubmitted by June 21, 2004.…
April 2004
OSHA Issues Interim Final Rule with Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints under Section 6 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002
This interim rule (29 CFR Part 1981) provides the text of regulations governing the employee protection (“whistleblower”) provisions of Section 6 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (“Pipeline Safety Act”), enacted into law December 17, 2002. This rule establishes procedures and time frames for the handling of discrimination complaints under the Pipeline Safety…
EPA Issues Notice of Proposed Reissuance of General NPDES Permit for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf and Contiguous State Waters (NPDES Permit Number AKG280000)
The Director, Office of Water, EPA Region 10, proposes to reissue a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for offshore oil and gas exploration facilities on the outer continental shelf and contiguous state waters pursuant to the provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) 33 U.S.C. 1251 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. The…
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Stakeholder Meeting Summary
In anticipation of the approaching August 17, 2004 compliance deadline, the EPA held a public meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2004 with the regulatory community and interested stakeholders to explain Agency efforts to clarify the regulations and facilitate compliance. Approximately 250 were in attendance, representing various oil and other affected industries. The meeting…
API and NFPA Sign Joint Alliance with OSHA Highlights Safety and Health at Petroleum and Petrochemical Liquid Storage Facilities
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed a joint Alliance with the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. The Alliance will unite efforts to ensure workers in the industry are armed with the training,…
Final Rule to Reduce Hazardous Air Emissions From Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines
On February 26, 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final requirements to reduce toxic air emissions from stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). These requirements apply to RICE used at facilities such as pipeline compressor stations, chemical and manufacturing plants, and power plants. The final rule limits the amount of air pollution that may…
Gas Integrity Management Update
We received the following information from OPS recently, and have included it verbatim for the benefit of our readers. We will provide further information as it becomes available. This message is to update you regarding the OPS Gas Integrity Management Program. Below you will find information and resources regarding the program’s key elements and their…
The Office of Pipeline Safety is looking for a Deputy Associate Administrator
The Research and Special Programs Administration is actively seeking top quality candidates for the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. The Office of Pipeline Safety administers the national regulatory program to assure the safe transportation of natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous materials by pipeline. The vacancy announcement can be found at http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/.
OPS clarifies compliance dates for new Annual Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
The OPS has provided clarification on the reporting deadline for the new final rule 195.49 (Annual Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines). The published final rule shows June 15th as the reporting deadline for the previous year. However, the final notice of rulemaking that RSPA published indicated both March 15th and June 15th as deadline…
TNRCC Issues New Instructions for Form PI-1S Registration for Air Standard Permit
Recently, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) released new filing instructions for Air Quality Permits. The new instructions are interactive and can be found at www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/permitting/forms/10370ins.pdf. In addition to new instructions, the form has also been modified and can be found at www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/permitting/airperm/nsr_permits/permform.htm. All NSR application and registration forms and instructions are undergoing major…