The National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) and PHMSA have released new HIGH Population and OTHER Populated areas as a new dataset based on the 2020 census data. Click on Version: 5 (Derived from 2020 Census) for more information and link to Download. Click here to register for our free webinar: “Unpacking the New NPMS Attribute…
June 2023
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Regulation Update for “Pipelines Transporting Carbon Dioxide”
On June 1, 2023, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (La DNR) published new regulations updating Title 33 Part V (LR 49:909 (May 2023)) pertaining to pipelines that transport carbon dioxide. These updates included adding Section 93 to Chapter 301 with additional requirements for these pipelines, including items for vents, sensing devices, fail-safe control, and sources…
Texas Railroad Commission’s New Construction Reports Online Filing Mandatory September 1st
Effective September 1, 2023, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) will no longer accept hard copy filings of Form PS-48, New Construction Report, by mail. Pipeline operators must submit New Construction Reports using RRC’s Pipeline, Inspection, Permitting and Evaluation System (RRC PIPES) available on the RRC website. Likewise, correspondence from RRC to pipeline operators on…
DOT Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance
On June 1, 2023, the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance posted its updated Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) guidelines. The document has been updated regarding certain provisions addressed in the Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule published on May 2, 2023. A listing of the updates to the SAP guidelines can be found…
Did you know?
DID YOU KNOW? Natural gas and oil delivers growing economic contributions to America that were nearly equivalent to Canada’s annual GDP last year. From Pennsylvania to California, America’s natural gas and oil workforce is the backbone of communities, supporting nearly 11 million careers throughout the energy supply chain. The American Petroleum Institute (API) released new analysis on…
The Enforcement Corner
The Enforcement Corner summarizes recent PHMSA enforcement actions, indicating where PHMSA is putting its enforcement efforts and the fines they are proposing for various types of violations. In April 2023, PHMSA issued 5 NOAs, 7 NOPVs, and 6 WLs accompanied by $3,529,634 in proposed fines. Significant proposed fines were attributed to the following code sections:…
Enforcement Discretion Summary
To assist those who struggle to keep up with the rules as they change, and whose minds are quickly blown by double and triple negatives, below is a handy summary for our readers of the currently available “discretionary enforcement” items from PHMSA: 1. December 6, 2022 PHMSA issued a discretionary enforcement on December 6, 2022, for…
Q&A Section
Do you have questions? RCP’s SMEs have the answers. Information will be posted here for questions we often get from clients or discussions we have with regulators, interpretations and pending regulatory deadlines. Q: When discovering an immediate repair anomaly do I have to take a pressure reduction if I am operating below the calculated safe…