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…
March 2020
RCP’s 25th Anniversary Challenge
Every month between March 2020 and February 2021, RCP will be giving away a 25th Anniversary Prize to a lucky reader of the DOT Pipeline Compliance Newsletter. All you have to do is find the hidden phrase “Really Cool People” within an article in that month’s newsletter and send an e-mail with the title of…
API RP 1162, Version 3 Goes to Letter Ballot
API published RP 1162 Pipeline Public Awareness, version 3 for public comment and ballot. To view this draft version, click here. The deadline for submitting comments is April 13, 2020. Once the final version is published, our understanding is that PHMSA intends to eventually incorporate this version of RP 1162 into Parts 192 and 195. …
PHMSA Public Meeting: New Regulations, FAQs, Docket
PHMSA conducted public meetings on February 26th and 27th to review recently finalized rules for hazardous liquids and natural gas transmission pipelines. In addition to summarizing key issues within each rule, PHMSA also walked through revisions coming to the annual and incident report forms. PHMSA also explained their plans for inspector training and expectations for…
PHMSA UGS Final Rule
[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0016; Amdt. Nos. 191-27; 192-126; 195-103] PHMSA issued a final rule to amend its minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities (UNGSFs). The final rule incorporates the American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practices (RP) 1170 and 1171 by reference into the pipeline safety regulations as written. RPs 1170 and 1171 outline safety…
NEW Gas Transmission Pipeline Rule Workshop
June 9-11, 2020 Join us June 9-11, 2020 in Houston at our corporate office and dedicated training facility for a deep dive into the recently finalized Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines rule. There is a lot to unpack with this rule. This workshop will not only dive deep into the rule requirements and some of…
TRRC Chapter 8 Amended Pipeline Safety Regulations
Effective January 3, 2020, the Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) adopted amendments to 16 TAC 8 – Pipeline Safety Regulation Subchapters A, B, C, and D. The amendments to Subchapter A require the retention of documents filed with the DOT to be made available to the TRRC upon request rather than concurrent filing. Additionally, some…
Iowa Intrastate Gas Transmission Pipeline Permits
The state of Iowa has made a variety of amendments to its permitting process for intrastate gas transmission pipelines in Title 199 – Utilities Division, Chapter 10 – Intrastate Gas Pipelines and Underground Gas Storage. This includes new definitions for Permit, Amendment of permit, Person, Affected person, and Negotiating. For a copy of the new…
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Incident Reporting
[Docket No. CSB-2019-0004] The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) published a final rule (40 CFR 1604) for accidental release reporting. These reporting requirements will become effective on March 23, 2020. This new rule applies to a wide variety of industry segments, including pipelines and pipeline facilities that are “stationary sources” under EPA regulations. If an…
API Updated Standard for Pipeline Construction Inspection
API has published an updated edition of Recommended Practice (RP) 1169, Pipeline Construction Inspection. This edition updates the issues that pipeline inspectors should review when overseeing each phase of a pipeline’s construction. While the first edition of RP 1169 concentrated on new pipeline construction, the second edition expands the scope of covered activities to cover all pipeline construction along the right of way,…
Advisory Committee Meetings on Valve/Rupture Rulemaking
PHMSA will hold a joint public meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC) on July 22 and 23 to discuss the PHMSA Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards NPRM. The NPRM was published on February 6, 2020 and the comment period ends on April 6, 2020.…