RCP has developed or revised OPA-90 plans and SPCC plans for both large and small facilities throughout the US in order to meet the February 17, 2006 deadline. Our previous experience with contingency plans enables us to be very efficient in the development of these plans. We are very familiar with the necessary cross-references, indices,…
January 2005
Army Corps Completes Initiative to Name a Lead District for the Regulatory Program in Each state
The Army Corps of Engineers has identified Lead Districts for Regulatory Program administration for states with multiple district offices. This change will provide a single point of contact for state development, transportation, and natural resource regulatory agency coordination. Lead districts are responsible for: Consistent, statewide implementation of Regulatory Program technical and policy guidance. Development and…
REMINDER – January 15 deadline for Hazardous Liquid & CO2 operators in Texas
One significant revision to 16 TAC 8.315 “Hazardous Liquids and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines or Pipeline Facilities Located Within 1,000 Feet of a Public School Building or Facility” includes notification provision that are due on January 15, 2005. An excerpt of these revisions is provided below. c) Each pipeline owner and operator to which this section…
OSHA Standards Improvement Project-Phase II
On January 5, 2005, OSHA published revisions to its regulations that revised or removed a number of health provisions in its standards for general industry, shipyard employment, and construction. The Agency believes that the changes streamline and make more consistent the regulatory requirements in OSHA health and safety standards. In some cases, OSHA has made…
Notice of Minimum Annual Percentage Rate for Random Drug Testing
Each year pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of selections may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate the Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) determines, either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees, based on the industry’s positive rate of…
Construction Stormwater General Permit – Final Modification
The EPA has modified the permit conditions specific to construction activities covered under EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities. These final NPDES construction general permits (commonly referred to collectively as the CGP) for discharges from large (five acres or more) and small (one to five…
Gas Integrity Management Workshop for Inspection Protocols, January 19-20, 2005
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) will cosponsor a workshop January 19-20, 2005 at The Westin Atlanta North to discuss the oversight implementation of the Gas Integrity Management program and the Inspection Protocols. The workshop will provide a detailed review…
Texas Pipeline Safety Rule Revisions – loose ends
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2001.027 and 1 TAC §91.38(d), the proposed new section §8.110 that appeared in the May 7, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 4394), has been automatically withdrawn. The withdrawn section is given below: §8.110.Operations and Maintenance Procedures. Each pipeline operator shall prepare a manual or procedural plan, required…
Utilities in Texas DOT Right of Ways
The Texas Department of Transportation (department) proposes the repeal of §§21.31 – 21.51 and simultaneously proposes new §§21.31 – 21.41, concerning utility accommodation. Existing §§21.31 – 21.51 provide the current regulations for the accommodation of utilities on highway right of way. The Texas Transportation Commission (commission) is repealing §§21.31 – 21.51 and proposing new §§21.31…
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…
Louisiana State Pipeline Rule Revisions
On December 20, 2004, the State of Louisiana proposed extensive revisions to both their gas and liquid pipeline safety regulations. Most of these proposed revisions will reconcile the Louisiana regulations with the federal regulations. We will review the existing and proposed rules in detail in our upcoming workshop in February (see related article below). For…
Stacey Gerard Receives Presidential Award
On behalf of Transportation Secretary Mineta, Deputy Administrator Bonasso announced last month Stacey Gerard’s selection for the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive. The President of the United States recognizes the achievement of career Senior Executives through the annual Presidential Rank Awards. These awards are the highest honor the federal government can present a career civilian…