The Railroad Commission of Texas (TRRC) has issued a Notice to Pipeline Operators and Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) regarding the inability to be in compliance with pipeline safety rules and regulations due to the Corona virus pandemic. These resource constraints, coupled with the continuing need to meet operational and maintenance obligations may necessitate actions by personnel that may not fully meet federal operator qualification, control room management and employment drug testing requirements.
TRRC will exercise discretion in its overall enforcement of other parts of pipeline safety regulations not specifically referenced in the PHMSA Notice (see related article below). TRRC intends to provide operators with the flexibility to maintain normal operations while ensuring public safety and protection of the environment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operators who determine that they cannot comply with the regulations described in the PHMSA Notice or other pipeline safety regulations due to challenges related to COVID-19 should promptly notify TRRC’s Pipeline Safety Department by e-mail at Safety@rrc.texas.gov. In all cases, pipeline operators must adequately document any such issues and communicate those matters promptly with TRRC’s Pipeline Safety Department.
Click here for the full Notice to TRRC Pipeline Operators.