Steve Nowaczewski has joined RCP’s Underground Gas Storage Team. If you have been in the storage industry, you probably already know Steve. He has spent over 35 years in the industry developing and operating underground natural gas storage facilities in North America. Steve is an industry leader, including co-chairing the task group that developed API…
April 2019
PHMSA Posts Updated Civil Penalty Summary
On February 25th 2019, PHMSA posted a general overview of how civil penalty calculations are derived following an inspection or investigation of a pipeline facility that reveals a probable violation. Several factors are listed as Assessment Considerations, along with various ranges of conduct and civil penalties. As of November 27, 2018, under 49 U.S.C. §…
DOT Issues Notice to Review Guidance Documents
The Office of Secretary of Transportation published a Notice in the Federal Register on February 5th seeking public comment on whether departmental guidance documents should be updated. For PHMSA, these guidance documents include Frequently Asked Questions, Enforcement Guidance, Letters of Interpretation and Advisory Bulletins. These documents can serve a number of purposes including: (1) Clarifying…
2019 Industry Conference Schedule
Have you registered and confirmed your reservations for these upcoming conferences? RCP will be attending the following conferences. We hope to see you there! API Pipeline Conference and Control Room ForumApril 9-11, 2019Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Hotel, Phoenix, AZ API’s Pipeline Conference is the premier event of its kind in the U.S. Held every year…
April is National Safe Digging Month
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven association of individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. Damage prevention starts with one phone call, and since 2007 the phone number for that…
Colorado Damage Prevention State Law Updates
[Colorado Register, Vol. 42, No. 6, 03/25/2019 Tracking Number 2019-00070] The Colorado Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission Regulations 7 CCR 1101-8 became effective on February 14, 2019. These regulations are to establish rules for the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission (Safety Commission) responsibilities within the Excavation Requirements Act §§ 9-1.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. (the Act).…
PHMSA Special Notice: Identifying Pipeline Safety Research Gaps
On Friday, March 8, 2019, PHMSA released a special notice allowing any interested stakeholder to submit ideas for future research. This notice will be open year round and revised every six months to reflect further guidance for interested stakeholders. PHMSA is conducting this action to widen the participation in formulating its research program future strategy. …
PHMSA Enforcement Discretion Regarding Farm Taps
[Docket ID: PHMSA-2018-0086] PHMSA announced it was exercising enforcement discretion with respect to portions of a final rule issued January 23, 2017, that pertain to individual service lines directly connected to a natural gas transmission, gathering, or production pipeline (farm taps). The January 23, 2017, final rule exempted these lines from PHMSA regulations requiring operators…
RCP Workshops – Which one should I attend?
Introduction to DOT Pipeline RegulationsThe DOT pipeline workshop covers federal regulatory requirements and their applicability to both hazardous liquid and natural gas gathering, transmission, and distribution pipeline operators. It is appropriate for people who are new to pipeline regulations, need a refresher course or better understanding of current and pending DOT rule makings as well…
NEW 1-Day Pressure Test Design & Analysis
RCP is now offering a 1-Day Pressure Test Design & Analysis Workshop at its facilities in downtown Houston. This workshop is appropriate for all those responsible for the design, execution and/or evaluation of any type of pipeline pressure test on liquid or gas pipelines whether it be new construction or in-situ. With specific focus on…