RCP’s professionals frequently are called upon to serve as expert witnesses or to provide other types of litigation support work. RCP has the expertise and the corporate infrastructure needed to provide results for our clients. Expertise RCP has the credibility that comes from conducting audits and developing programs for literally dozens of pipeline companies throughout…
October 2004
RCP President, Bill Byrd Speaks at Recent Energy Breakfast
Bill Byrd, President of RCP gave a lively presentation at the recent Energy Breakfast hosted by the law firm Locke Liddell & Sap. Mr. Byrd, along with Bill Swanstrom, Co-head of LLS’ Energy Practice Group, focused on the regulatory compliance due diligence process in a typical midstream acquisition, and shared a few war stories about…
PREP Schedule for 2005 – 2007
The Coast Guard, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Management Service, in concert with representatives from various State governments, industry, environmental interest groups, and the general public, developed the Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines for oil spill response exercises. The guiding principles for PREP distinguish between…
EPA Stormwater Construction General Permit – proposed modifications
On July 1, 2003, EPA noticed in the Federal Register (68 FR 29087 ) issuance of the final NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities (hereinafter called the “construction general permit” or “CGP”) for activities located in EPA Regions 1-3 and 5-10. (All references in this notice to the CGP also…
RSPA Reorganization Proposed
The Secretary of Transportation has submitted proposed legislation to Congress that would reorganize the Research and Special Programs Administration, and establish 2, more focused organizations. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) would coordinate research-driven innovative technology and transportation statistics. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) would carry out the pipeline and hazardous…
RSPA Corrects Final Rule-Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations
On June 14th, 2004, RSPA published a final rule entitled “Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates to Pipeline Safety Regulations”. That final rule amended and updated various sections of the pipeline safety regulations and incorporated the most recent editions of the voluntary consensus standards publications are referenced in 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. After the final…
Pipeline Safety: Pressure Limiting and Regulating Stations Final Rule Goes into effect October 8, 2004
The Research and Special Programs Administration Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) published a direct final rule on May 17th, 2004, that removed an unintended impact of regulations on pressure limiting and regulating stations. The direct final rule modified pressure limits that could have required a reduction in the operating pressure of certain pipelines and been…
Advisory Bulletin – Hurricane Ivan Pipeline Damage
On September 23, 2004, the Office of Pipeline Safety issued the following advisory bulletin to owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent state waters regarding the potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The advisory warned that pipeline safety…