The Muscular Dystrophy Association is having a lockup to raise funds for MDA on August 7, and I’ve been selected as one of the “jailees”. The idea is that I need to “raise bail” for MDA, so they will let me out of the slammer. My bail is set at $3,000 – so they must…
August 2003
Gas Pipeline HCA – Identified Site Guidance
The OPS has prepared a draft advisory bulletin to provide guidance to operators on what constitutes a good faith effort to discover “identified sites” as defined by 49 CFR 192.761(f). It states in part: “OPS will accept as a good faith search in satisfaction of 192.76 1 (f)( 1)-(4), a search by an operator that…
Texas Proposed Rule on Pipelines Crossing 3 or More Counties
The Railroad Commission of Texas has withdrawn from consideration the proposed new 8.120 concerning notifications for construction of new pipelines that cross 3 or more counties (see our April 2003 newsletter).
Texas Proposed Rule: Hazardous Liquid Pipelines Within 1,000 Feet of a Public School
The Texas Railroad Commission has proposed a rule concerning Hazardous Liquids and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines or Pipeline Facilities Located Within 1,000 feet of a Public School Building of Facility (16 TAC §8.315). This rule will require the operator of any jurisdictional Texas Intrastate Liquid Pipeline or Pipeline Facility located within 1,000 feet of a public…
Texas Final Rule: Hazardous Liquid Pipelines Public Education and Liaison
The Texas Railroad Commission has also approved a final rule concerning Hazardous Liquids and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines Public Education and Liaison (16 TAC §8.310). This rule contains identical requirements concerning public liaison with “fire, police, and other appropriate public emergency response officials” as contained in the recent Gas Pipeline regulation (see previous article in this…
Texas Final Rule: Natural Gas Pipelines Public Education and Liaison
The Railroad Commission of Texas has approved 16 TAC §8.235 relating to public education and liaison programs for gas pipelines. The rule requires that (for regulated intra-state pipelines in Texas): “Each operator … shall communicate and conduct liaison activities with fire, police, and other appropriate public emergency response officials. The liaison activities are those required…
INGAA OQ Update Meeting
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) will hold a meeting on Operator Qualification on August 28, 2003, at Duke Energy’s offices in Houston from 12 noon to 5pm. An agenda will be prepared and distributed at a later date. Seating is limited. Contact Linda A. Thomas at lthomas@ingaa.org or (202)216-5925 if you want…
Liquid Advisory Committee Meeting (docket number RSPA-98-4470)
OPS will convene a meeting of the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) on Wednesday, August 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. via telephone conference call to request the Committee’s input on the conceptual framework of the OPS five-year research and development program plan as required by Section 12 of the Pipeline…
Workshop on Effective Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators
The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is co-sponsoring with pipeline industry groups two workshops to facilitate the pipeline industry’s implementation of effective public education and awareness programs. The first workshop is planned for Houston, TX, on September 4th and 5th, 2003. The second workshop is planned for Baltimore, MD, on September 16th & 17th, 2003.…
Gas Distribution Fees in Texas
The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes new 8.201, relating to Pipeline Safety Program Fees. New Texas Utilities Code, 121.211, authorizes the Commission to adopt by rule an inspection fee to be assessed annually to all operators of natural gas distribution pipelines and their pipeline facilities and natural gas master metered pipelines and their pipeline facilities…
GLO assuming more oil spill responsibility in Texas
Note: the following is re-printed from the July edition of the Texas General Land Office’s Facility and Maritime Affairs July 2003 newsletter. Thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Jerry Patterson and the Land Office legislative team, the Texas General Land Office will assume jurisdiction for all maritime oil spills starting September 1st. Starting in the…
Hazmat Security Regulations / RCP Audit Protocol
On March 25, 2003, the Research and Special Project Administration (RSPA) of the DOT adopted a new security requirement for certain transporters of hazardous materials. The rule covers Facilities, Shippers, Trucks and Rail Cars that are involved in bulk (not pipeline) transportation of hazardous materials in a packaging having a capacity equal to or greater…
Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Advisory Committee Meeting
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) will convene a meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) on Thursday, July 31, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon to discuss and vote on the cost-benefit analysis for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Pipeline Integrity Management for Gas Transmission…
MMS / USCG Incident Reporting Requirements Public Meeting
The Minerals Management Service and the US Coast Guard will hold a meeting on September 3, 2003, from 1 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m. at the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional office (Room 111), 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123, to explain the Proposed Rule for Incident Reporting Requirements that was published on…
Outer Continental Shelf-Incident Reporting Requirements
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has proposed a rule to revise and clarify MMS requirements for reporting incidents associated with Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas and other mineral operations. MMS has developed these reporting requirements in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and intends them to be as consistent as possible with…