February 2007

Common Ground Alliance Announces Launch of New National 811 One-Call Website

January marked the official launch of the Call811.com web site. The national campaign launch is set for May 1st and the web site will continue to provide all stakeholders with the most up-to-date information on getting involved with the campaign. CGA will continue to post additional content to the www.call811.com web site as important milestone…

Common Ground Alliance 811 Stakeholders Summit February 6th, Houston, TX

The Common Ground Alliance, CGA, is holding a free informational Summit regarding an update on the efforts of the Common Ground Alliance as well as the national 811 awareness campaign. As the implementation deadline for 811 rapidly approaches, the CGA has been preparing to develop and launch the national campaign. Topics to be discussed include:…

THLPSSC Teleconference on Low Stress and Rural Liquid Pipeline Regulations

[Docket No. PHMSA-98-4470] The Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) will meet on Monday, February 12, 2007, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST by telephone conference call to vote on a proposed rule to extend pipeline safety regulation to rural onshore hazardous liquid gathering lines and low stress lines. Discussion will include…

Government / Industry Pipeline Research & Development Forum

PHMSA is conducting their research and development forum for government and industry stakeholders in New Orleans, February 7-8, 2007. The purpose of this forum is to: Develop a consensus agenda of technical gaps & challenges for future R&D; Identify both short and long term research objectives for liquid/gas and transmission and gas distribution pipelines; Conduct…

Comments Due for Texas Railroad Commission Proposed Excavation Near Pipeline Regulations

Comments are due by February 20, 2007 for the Railroad Commission of Texas proposed new regulations in Chapter 18 of the TAC entitled Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention relating to Scope, Applicability, and General Provisions; Definitions; Excavator Notice to Notification Center; Excavator Obligation to Avoid Damage to Underground Pipelines; Operator and Excavator Obligations with Respect to…

Extension of Comment Period for EPA Proposed NESHAP Amendment

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0406 EPA has announced that the comment period on the proposed rule amendments for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories: Gasoline Distribution Bulk Terminals, Bulk Plants, Pipeline Facilities, and Gasoline Dispensing Facilities, published on November 9, 2006, is being extended until February 8, 2007, rather than January…

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.

Department of Homeland Security Issues Proposed Interim Rule for Chemical Facilities Including Pipelines Connecting to Chemical Facilities

Thanks and credit to AOPL for this information. Last year, Congress granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the regulatory authority to establish and require implementation of risk-based performance standards for the security of the nation’s high-risk chemical facilities. The DHS now intends to implement an appropriate regulatory program focusing its resources first on those…

Gas Integrity Management FAQ Update

PHMSA has updated the Gas IMP FAQ’s with the following: FAQ-237: Effect on piping installed after effective date Question: When must the baseline assessment be completed for piping installed after the effective date of the rule? Answer: Any newly-constructed gas transmission pipeline placed into service after the effective date of the integrity management rule, February…

PHMSA Issues Update of Regulatory References to Technical Standards

PHMSA is amending a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2006, which updated the pipeline safety regulations to incorporate by reference all or parts of new editions of voluntary consensus technical standards to enable pipeline operators to utilize current technology, materials, and practices. Several omissions and editorial corrections have been identified…