[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22032]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. PS-94; Notice 3]
[RIN 2137-AB38]

 

Qualification of Pipeline Personnel

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) 
invites representatives of industry, state and local government, and 
the public to an open meeting on qualifications of pipeline personnel. 
The purpose of this meeting is to hear views of interested persons on 
issues raised as a result of a recently published Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding qualifications of pipeline personnel. The 
comment period is also being extended.

DATES: The meeting will be held on September 29, 1994, from 9 a.m. 
until 4 p.m., eastern standard time. This meeting may conclude earlier 
if all persons wishing to speak have been heard. The comment period is 
extended until October 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Nassif Building, Room 3200-3204, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20590. The meeting will be transcribed. Written 
comments may be submitted that are relevant to any statement of fact or 
argument made. A copy of the comments or transcript of the meeting will 
be available for review in RSPA's public dockets, Room 8421, Nassif 
building, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, between 8:30 
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each business day.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Albert C. Garnett, (202) 366-2036, regarding the public meeting, or 
Docket Unit, (202) 366-5046, for copies of material in the docket 
regarding the proposed rule.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 3, 1994, RSPA published a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), (59 FR 39506), that proposed 
requirements on pipeline operators to qualify pipeline personnel who 
perform, or directly supervise those persons performing, regulated 
operation, maintenance and emergency response functions. This action 
would amend current standards for training personnel performing 
operating or maintenance activities on hazardous liquid and carbon 
dioxide pipelines, and extend those standards to personnel performing 
similar functions on gas pipelines. This action was taken to ensure 
that pipeline personnel have the necessary knowledge and skills to 
competently perform these regulated functions. The intended effect of 
this proposed rulemaking is to improve pipeline safety by requiring 
operators to assure the competency of pipeline personnel through 
training, testing and periodic refresher training.
    Certain parties have stated a desire to confer with RSPA regarding 
the issues the NPRM presented. Accordingly, RSPA has determined that a 
public meeting is appropriate to receive additional comments for 
consideration in preparing the final rule. The purpose of the meeting 
is to hear views and receive information from the public. In addition, 
RSPA officials may ask clarifying questions.
    Interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and present 
oral or written statements on matters raised by the NPRM. Any person 
who wishes to speak should notify Daphene Floyd at (202) 366-1640. 
Please estimate the time that will be needed to speak. RSPA reserves 
the right to limit the time of each speaker, if necessary, to ensure 
that everyone who requests an opportunity to speak is given one. 
Individuals that are not scheduled to comment will have an opportunity 
to comment only after approval of the meeting officer.
    The comment period is extended until October 31, 1994, because the 
close of the initial comment period follows immediately after this 
meeting. Therefore, commenters may not have sufficient time to include 
information from this public meeting in their comments.

(49 U.S.C. 60102 et seq.; 49 CFR 1.53)

    Issued in Washington, DC on September 1, 1994.
George W. Tenley, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-22032 Filed 9-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-M