Western Regional Gas Conference 2022August 23-24 | Scottsdale, AZ WRGC welcomes you back to an in-person conference! Be sure to check the agenda and plan to attend DeWitt Burdeaux’s presentation on RIN2. RCP’s SME, Nhan “Barney” Pham, will be speaking at the Methane tracking and reporting for gas pipeline facilities presentation where you can learn…
January 2021
DOT Pipeline Compliance Virtual Workshop
Nov 15-17, 2021 Join us virtually, November 15-17, 2021 for an informative and interactive online workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance topics. This Workshop will give a brief overview of the new rules, in addition to our standard overview of the DOT pipeline regulations in 49 CFR 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, and 199. It also…
What makes RCP’s online training different?
Online Training Done Right! Check out our online training introduction video. Our online training has been built from the ground up to make the most use of the virtual learning environment. We’ve re-organized our training material into 5-10 minute* bite-sized topics, and made them all available in a format that allows students to take them in…
PHMSA Posts 2021 Inspection Protocols
PHMSA has published the updated 2021 inspection protocols for Gas Distribution, Gas Transmission, Hazardous Liquids, Liquified Natural Gas, Underground Gas Storage and Drug & Alcohol. Changes this year include D&A questions, new Liquid Rule content, new gas rule content and miscellaneous changes from the various content teams. You can access these on PHMSA’s Forms page:…
Hazardous Liquid Rulemaking FAQ’s Released
PHMSA released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the final rule “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines,” published on October 1, 2019. Although FAQ’s are not enforceable, they do provide pipeline operators important guidance on how PHMSA interprets certain gray areas of code. In this batch of final FAQ’s, PHMSA provides their response to…
Gas Transmission Rulemaking Draft FAQ’s Released
PHMSA has released a draft of “Batch 2” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the final rule “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments,” originally published October 1, 2019. Batch 1 (Mega Rule FAQs – RCP Inc.) was finalized and released on September 15, 2020. …
PHMSA Reauthorization – PIPES Act 2020
Contained within the $900 billion, 5,593 page ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021’’, you will find the “Protecting Our Infrastructure Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020”, otherwise known as the PIPES Act of 2020. This was signed into law by President Trump on December 27th and authorizes funding for PHMSA to carry out its mission through…
Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform
PHMSA issued this Final Rule (Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform; Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0046; Amdt Nos. 191-29; 192-128) on January 5, 2021, and it has been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. It is unclear when or if this rule will actually make it to the Federal Register before the next…
Pipeline Information Collection Notice and Request for Comments
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0172] On December 17, 2020, PHMSA published a notice and request for comments for gas pipelines and gas storage facilities reporting requirements, as summarized below. PHMSA proposes to revise PHMSA F 7100.2-1 Annual Report for Natural and Other Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipeline Systems, to add a section to collect data about the…
Midstream Facilities Draft FAQ’s Released
[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0199] PHMSA published a notification in the Federal Register seeking public comments on a document titled ‘‘Pipeline Safety: Midstream Facilities Frequently Asked Questions,’’ a set of seven draft frequently asked questions developed by the Midstream Processing Working Group, established by the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee. PHMSA received…
New Underground Damage Prevention Authority in Alabama
The State of Alabama has created a new organization as described in state regulations 910 – Underground Damage Prevention Authority. The Authority has the power to write rules, adjudicate complaints, and issue penalties for violations of damage prevention laws and regulations. The penalty provisions are as follows: 910-X-4-.01 Penalty Provisions Any person who violates the…
Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) Rulemaking on Natural Gas and LNG Facility Operators
Proposed Rule Number: 2020-P234 The MPUC has initiated a rulemaking to amend Number 65-407 Ch. 420 – Safety Standards for Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Operators. The proposed amendments are intended to update and modernize the Commission’s gas safety rules. The Commission held a public hearing on January 6, 2021, 1:30 p.m. remotely…
Virginia Proposed Rule: Professional Engineering Stamps for Gas Projects
[Case No. URS-2020-00052] The State of Virginia proposes to establish a new chapter, 20VAC5-360, Licensed Professional Engineer to Exercise Responsible Charge over Certain Natural Gas Engineering Projects. The new regulation requires that licensed professional engineers exercise responsible charge over certain pipeline projects undertaken by natural gas companies jurisdictional to the State Corporation Commission where such…
DOT COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing Statement of Enforcement Discretion for Substance Abuse Professionals and Service Agents
On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) provided guidance about the impact of COVID-19 on DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers, employees, and service agents. On April 4, 2020, ODAPC provided supplemental information specific to performing remote evaluations by Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP)…