[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3761-3762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2114]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket PS-146]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Research and Special Programs Administration's 
(RSPA) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection in support of the Office of 
Pipeline Safety (OPS) Certification and Agreement forms for the gas and 
hazardous liquid pipeline safety program based on re-estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 1, 
1996, to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: G. Tom Fortner, Director, Compliance 
and State Programs, Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special 
Programs Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20950, (202) 366-1640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Certification and Agreement forms for the gas and hazardous 
liquid pipeline safety program.
    OMB Number: 2137-0584.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Chapter 601, Title 49, United States Code (49 U.S.C.) 
authorizes DOT to regulate pipeline transportation. While DOT's Office 
of Pipeline Safety is primarily responsible for developing, issuing, 
and enforcing minimum pipeline safety regulations, Chapter 601, 49 
U.S.C., provides for state assumption of all or part of the regulatory 
and enforcement responsibility for intrastate pipelines.
    Since the initiation of this Federal/State partnership, almost 
every state, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, 
participates in this program. The State agency is required to submit a 
certification or an agreement for the gas and/or hazardous liquid 
program. Under a certification, the state assumes regulatory and 
enforcement responsibility for intrastate pipelines. Under an 
agreement, a state must inspect pipeline operators to determine 
compliance with the minimum federal safety standards and report any 
probable violations to DOT's Office of Pipeline Safety, which retains 
responsibility for enforcement action.
    This request covers the collection of information under four 
related instruments:

--Gas Pipeline Safety Program Certification
--Gas Pipeline Safety Program Agreement
--Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification
--Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Agreement

 
[[Page 3762]]

    These instruments request information relevant to the State 
agency's operation of the pipeline safety program which is essential 
for:
    (1) Confirming that the state wishes to continue its participation 
in the pipeline safety program;
    (2) Preparing the Bi-Annual Report on Pipeline Safety due to 
Congress on odd numbered years as mandated in Section 1121 of Public 
Law 104-66;
    (3) Measuring state program performance that can be used to 
calculate the state grant allocation; and
    (4) demonstrating to Congress the value of this cooperative 
Federal/State pipeline safety program.
    Estimate of Burden: The average burden hours per response is 60.
    Respondents: State gas and hazardous liquid pipeline offices.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 61.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Copies of this information collection can be reviewed at the 
Dockets Unit, Room 8421, Research and Special Programs Administration, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St., S.W. Washington, 
D.C.
    Comments are invited on: (a) The need for the proposed collection 
of information for the proper performance of the functions of the 
agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques. Send comments to G. Tom Fortner, 
Director, Compliance and State Programs, OPS, RSPA, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also be a matter of public 
record.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 29, 1996.
G. Tom Fortner,
Director for Compliance and State Programs, Office of Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-2114 Filed 1-31-96; 8:45 am]
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