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September 2003
OQ update
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Duke Energy and INGAA hosted an OQ update meeting on August 28. Some of the items that were discussed in that meeting include: OQ audits are still mostly “process” oriented, and not “content” oriented. OQ audits are not currently looking in-depth at control room operator qualification programs. OPS intends…
Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committees; Vacancies
The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) seeks applications for membership on the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC). The TPSSC and the THLPSSC review and report on proposed standards relating to the transportation of gas or hazardous liquids through…
Definitions in the Louisiana Regulations – Revisions
There have been some recent changes to the definitions in the Louisiana Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Regulations. These changes include a modification to the definition of Master Meter System, as well as the addition of two new terms: School System and Special Class System. The current differences between the state and federal definitions include: There…
Electronic Transmission and Storage of Drug Testing Information Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Electronic Transmission and Storage of Drug Testing Information Federal Advisory Committee will meet for the third time in a public session on September 22-23, 2003, at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 524-6400, Guest Fax: (703) 524-8964. The purpose of the Committee is to…
Revision of the Emergency Response Guidebook: Notice of regulatory review; request for comments
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) is soliciting comments on the development of the Emergency Response Guidebook 2004 (ERG2004), particularly from those who have experience using the 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2000) during hazardous materials incidents. The ERG2004 will supersede ERG2000. The development of ERG2004 is a joint effort involving the transportation agencies of…
Notice of workshops on industry consensus standard API RP 1162, “Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators”
Editor’s note: due to the importance of the subject matter, and the fact that it impacts virtually every pipeline operator, I have reproduced the majority of the Federal Register notice concerning these meetings in the following article. The Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of Pipeline…
Producer-Operated OCS Pipelines That Cross Directly Into State Waters
This final rule addresses the safety regulation responsibility for producer-operated natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines that cross into State waters without first connecting to a transporting operator’s facility on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This rule specifies the procedures by which producer operators can petition for approval to operate under safety regulations governing pipeline…
ASME B31-Q Meeting Update
The Southern Gas Association (SGA) has posted an update on their website concerning the first meeting of the ASME B31-Q Committee. This committee is tasked with developing a technical standard concerning qualification of pipeline personnel. The resulting standard is expected to apply universally to all pipelines (not just those in the US). The pipeline industry…