The intent of the public meeting on May 10, 2005 was for stakeholders to have an opportunity to participate in an open discussion of the technical issues associated with controlling storm water discharges from small (1 – 5 acre) oil and gas construction activities. The Environmental Protection Agency presented the regulatory background that leads to…
June 2005
DOT/PHMSA Permit Streamlining for Pipeline Repairs Public Meeting Notes
(We’d like to thank Ben Cooper from AOPL for the following information.) On May 6, 2005 DOT/PHMSA held a public meeting to discuss the repair process, repair criteria and the agency permitting process with a focus on streamlining the process. A representative from the Council on Environmental Quality reinforced the four point plan for pipeline…
Coast Guard Releases OPA 90 Report
The Coast Guard has posted its Report on the Implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 on the web at www.uscg.mil/hq/npfc/Documents/PDFs/osltf_report.pdf. The report notes, “Based on past spending trends and current forecasts, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) is expected to be depleted by FY 2009.” Additional funding sources would be needed to…
Advisory Bulletin ADB-05-03, Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities in the Vicinity of Electric and other Utilities
On May 23, 2005, OPS published the following advisory bulletin, which was prompted by an NTSB investigation into a pipeline tank failure and fire involving electrical transmission wires: To: Owners and Operators of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities in the Vicinity of Electric and other Utilities. Subject: Preplanning with owners of electric and…
Meetings of the Pipeline Safety Advisory Committees, June 15-16, 2005
The Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) will meet in joint sessions on June 15 and 16 to discuss future challenges facing the pipeline industry and options for direction on key projects. The discussion will focus on three topical areas: Managing Risk and Integrity Sharing Responsibility…
Misc. Texas Pipeline Safety Rule Changes
The State of Texas has made miscellaneous changes to their pipeline safety rules applicable to intra-state pipeline operators. These include: A statement that Pipeline Safety Program Fees “shall not be billed to a state agency, as that term is defined in Texas Utilities Code, §101.003”. Clarification that written reports are required for incidents that “resulted…
Need help with the new Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) deadline?
RCP can help determine whether these new rules are applicable to you as well as develop, update & submit permits for your construction projects. Click Here to request additional information.
Public Meeting on Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Service Lines, June 17, 2005
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is sponsoring a public meeting on the use of Excess Flow Valves in gas distribution safety lines as a technique for mitigating the consequences of service line incidents. EFVs are devices designed to be installed in gas service lines, the pipelines that…
New Rule for Pipeline Operator Public Awareness Programs
PHMSA has amended the requirements for pipeline operators to develop and implement public awareness (also known as public education) programs. The amendments for developing and implementing public awareness programs address the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) of 2002 and incorporate by reference the guidelines provided in the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended…