[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55752-55753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27188]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket No. P-95-2W; Notice 1]


Transportation of Natural Gas by Pipeline Grant of Waiver; 
Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation

    Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation has petitioned the Research 
and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) for temporary waiver of a 
pipeline safety standard that requires plastic pipe to be installed 
below ground level (49 CFR 192.321(a)). The petition applies to 
approximately 1000 feet of 2-inch plastic pipe, which is to replace 
Line 778 and Line 2060 in a rural area near the town of Kirby in Greene 
County, Pennsylvania. 

[[Page 55753]]

    According to the petition, coal mining threatens to cause ground 
subsidence beneath the two existing pipelines. To avoid possible line 
breakage and service outage, Columbia proposes to replace these 
pipelines with approximately 1000 feet of plastic pipeline installed 
temporarily above ground. After necessary state and local permits are 
obtained to authorize ditching for burial, Columbia plans to bury the 
plastic pipeline 3 feet below ground within 6 to 8 months after 
construction.
    The petition explains that the above ground plastic pipeline would 
present little risk to the public because the area is rural, with no 
dwellings within half a mile of the pipeline. Also, line markers are to 
be spaced at 100-foot intervals, and gas warning tape and other 
suitable warnings would be installed along the pipeline route. In 
addition, Columbia stated it will patrol the pipeline monthly, or more 
frequently if necessary, to assure the integrity of the pipeline while 
it is above ground. Columbia further stated that it did not expect 
external loading or vandalism to be a problem on the pipeline, nor does 
it expect ultraviolet degradation during the period of exposure.
    In a separate proceeding, ``Regulatory Review; Gas Pipeline Safety 
Standards,'' RSPA has proposed to revise Sec. 192.321(a) to allow the 
installation of plastic pipe above ground under certain conditions 
(Docket PS-124; 57 FR 39576; Aug. 31, 1992). The proposed conditions 
would limit aboveground use to 30 days in places where external damage 
is unlikely or adequate protection is provided. In addition, the 
plastic pipe would have to be resistant to ultraviolet light and 
temperature extremes, and not have been previously used above ground.
    RSPA received written comments on the proposal from 14 gas pipeline 
companies, 3 pipeline-related associations, and a state pipeline safety 
agency. No one objected to the concept of temporary aboveground use. In 
fact, many commenters suggested that the proposal did not go far 
enough, asserting that permanent aboveground installations should be 
allowed when plastic pipe is encased in steel conduit. Others argued 
that a 30-day limit on temporary usage would be too brief in view of 
the time it may take to construct a permanent underground installation. 
Still other commenters argued the proposed time limit and prohibition 
against reinstalling aboveground plastic pipe above ground were 
unnecessary. They contended that commercially available plastic pipe 
can be exposed to ultraviolet light for at least 2 years without 
degradation of material properties. These commenters suggested RSPA 
allow the use of plastic pipe above ground according to pipe 
manufacturers' recommended exposure limits.
    Because RSPA has already proposed to allow the limited use of 
plastic pipe above ground, we believe that waiving Sec. 192.321(a) as 
Columbia has proposed is appropriate. However, in view of the issue in 
Docket PS-124 concerning the safe period for temporary aboveground 
installations, we are granting the waiver on condition that the plastic 
pipe does not remain above ground longer than the manufacturer 
recommends for aboveground exposure. Given that Docket PS-124 has 
already afforded the public an opportunity to comment on above ground 
use of plastic pipe, we believe further notice and opportunity to 
comment on the matter within the context of this waiver proceeding 
would be unnecessary. Therefore, this waiver is granted as final 
without further public notice.
    For the reasons explained above, RSPA, by this order, finds that 
the requested waiver of Sec. 192.321(a) is not inconsistent with 
pipeline safety. Therefore, effective immediately, Columbia's petition 
for waiver is granted, provided the installation is carried out as 
proposed in the petition and does not exceed the manufacturer's 
recommended maximum period of exposure.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 6018(c); and 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 27, 1995.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 95-27188 Filed 11-1-95; 8:45 am]
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