RCP partners with companies on providing requirements for the United States Coast Guard Security Plan, DOT Hazardous Materials, and Pipeline security regulatory requirements in a prompt and cost effective manner. RCP has completed training and the requisite security plans for pipeline, barge, petrochemical, refinery, truck transport, and other facility locations. Independent Audits to meet USCG…
December 2004
Army Corps of Engineers Proposes Amendments to Nationwide Permit Regulations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to amend its nationwide permit regulations so that district engineers can issue nationwide permit verification letters that expire on the same date the nationwide permit expires. This amendment will allow district engineers to issue that nationwide permit verifications are valid throughout the period of time the nationwide…
RSPA Decides Immediate and Written Incident/Accident Notification Requirements for Louisiana
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) decided that the Louisiana state requirement for immediate telephone notification of pipeline incidents/accidents to the Louisiana State Police in La. R.S. 32:1510A is not preempted by the federal hazardous material transportation law. RSPA also decided the federal hazardous material transportation law does preempt the written requirement for notification…
Railroad Commission of Texas Adopts New Rules and Amendments
On November 4, 2004 the Railroad Commission of Texas signed and placed their seal to repeal §§7.70 – 7.74, and 7.80 – 7.87. The Commission adopted the repeals in order to move the pipeline safety rules into Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 8 (29 TexReg 10659). This was completed to collect all the pipeline…
Pending Audits?
Has the DOT notified you of a pending audit? RCP can provide confidential internal auditing to help ensure that your facilities are up to the agency’s latest standards. Click Here.
DOT/OPS Issues Advisory Bulletin Regarding Operator Qualification
RSPA’s Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) has issued an advisory bulletin to owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems concerning the minimum requirements for operator qualification (OQ) programs for personnel performing covered tasks on a pipeline facility. The bulletin reminds system owners and operators that the deadline for modifying their OQ…
The Texas Railroad Commission Modifies Pipeline Integrity Regulations
The Texas Railroad Commission published in the Texas Register in November final modifications to §8.101.Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Management Plans for Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines (and other pipeline safety regulations, see article later in this newsletter.) The new regulation states that “Natural gas pipeline operators using the risk-based plan shall complete at least…
Congress Creates New Office – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
On Tuesday, November 30, 2004, the President signed into law H.R. 5163, the “Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act,” which reorganizes the Department of Transportation’s pipeline safety, hazardous materials transportation safety, and research activities. Titled the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act, the measure reorganizes the existing Research and…
Proposed Arizona Intrastate Pipeline Amendments
The Arizona Corporation Commission’s Pipeline Safety Division has proposed rules aimed at making natural-gas and gasoline pipelines safer and their operators more accountable. These regulations include amendments to transportation rules R14-5-202, R14-5-203, R14-5-204 and R14-5-205. The amendments will update the rules to incorporate the most recent amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title…
EPA Publishes Report on Effectiveness of Dispersants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted a technical report entitled “Characteristics of Spilled Oils, Fuels, and Petroleum Products: 2a. Dispersant Effectiveness Data for a Suite of Environmental Conditions – The Effects of Temperature, Volatilization, and Energy” on the agency web site. For a copy of this document or more information contact Jessica Roger…
Coast Guard Requests Comments for Marine Liquefied Natural Gas Spills; Thermal and Vapor Dispersion Exclusion Zones
The Coast Guard is seeking public comments on a petition for rulemaking from the City of Fall River, Massachusetts. The petition requests regulations be promulgated that would establish thermal and vapor dispersion exclusion zones for marine spills of liquefied natural gas similar to those established by the Secretary of Transportation for spills of LNG on…
49 CFR 40 – Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs Modified – Interim Final Rule
On November 9, 2004 the Department of Transportation amended certain provisions of its drug and alcohol testing procedures to change instructions to laboratories and medical review officers (MRO) with respect to adulterated, substituted, and diluted specimen results. This change is intended to avoid inconsistency with new requirements established by the U.S. Department of Health and…
Texas Coastal Coordination Council proposes amendments to 31 TAC 501.26
The Texas Coastal Coordination Council is proposing to amend paragraph 501.26 (b)(5) of 31 TAC to allow shore protection projects in sea turtle nesting areas, as long as they avoid adverse impacts to those areas. The rule currently prohibits the location of a shore protection project in a sea turtle nesting area or in any…
OCS Inspections for Damage Caused by Hurricane Ivan (Part 3)
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) has issued NTL No. 2004-G20 to provide further guidance on the inspections you need to conduct on OCS pipelines and related facilities because of the potential damage caused by Hurricane Ivan. The MMS GOMR issued NTL No. 2004-G18 on October 4, 2004. In part,…
Pipeline & Gas Journal features RCP Integrity Management Success Guide
RCP’s article titled “A Success Guide for Pipeline Integrity Management” is featured in the November 2004 edition of the Pipeline & Gas Journal. The article explains the importance of operators’ understanding of the challenges associated in the development and implementation of a pipeline integrity management program. Some of the costs many operators will encounter during…
RCP Partners with Paradigm and Celeritas for Complete Turnkey Public Awareness Support
For a turnkey, cost effective pipeline public awareness solution, RCP has joined forces with Paradigm and Celeritas to provide operators with a complete range of services. RCP will develop and manage written Public Awareness Program with its experienced industry experts for gas and liquid pipeline operators. Paradigm will implement direct mail programs and stakeholder identification…
Need A Security Plan or Audit?
We have the expertise to develop a security plan and perform risk assessments for pipeline and terminal facilities to meet recent DOT Hazmat Transportation & Pipeline regulations. We can also assist you in USCG security plans for dock facilities and vessels. Please contact Jessica Roger for more information.