[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 16528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9262]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket PS-135; Notice 3]


Proposed Collection: Comment Request

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests public participation in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding an RSPA new 
collection of information. RSPA has published a pipeline safety 
regulation that requires gas service line operators who do not maintain 
certain customer piping to notify the customers of the need to maintain 
the piping. RSPA intends to request OMB approval of this information 
collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 
1320.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 14, 
1996 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to send comments in duplicate 
to the Dockets Unit, Room 8421, Research and Special Programs 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St., 
S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590. Please identify the docket and notice 
numbers shown in the heading of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell, (202) 366-1640, to ask 
questions about this notice; or the Dockets Unit, (202) 366-4453, to 
request copies of information in the docket.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Customer-Owned Service Lines.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: An RSPA regulation (49 CFR 192.16) requires operators of 
gas service lines who do not maintain buried customer piping up to 
building walls or certain other locations to notify their customers of 
the need to maintain that piping. Congress directed DOT to take this 
action in view of service line accidents. By advising customers of the 
need to maintain their buried gas piping, the notices may reduce the 
risk of further accidents.
    The regulation requires each operator to notify each customer not 
later than August 14, 1995, or 90 days after the customer first 
receives gas at a particular location, whichever is later. However, 
operators of master meter systems may continuously post a general 
notice in a prominent location frequented by customers. In addition, 
each operator must make the following records available for inspection 
by RSPA or a state agency participating under 49 U.S.C. 60105 or 60106: 
(1) a copy of the notice currently in use; and (2) evidence that 
notices have been sent to customers within the previous 3 years.
    Estimate of Burden: Minimal.
    Respondents: Gas transmission and distribution operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,590.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3,460.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Minimal.
    More information about this information collection can be found in 
the Final Rule document that established the collection (60 FR 41821; 
August 14, 1995) and the accompanying final regulatory evaluation. 
These documents 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.
    All timely written comments to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also be 
available to the public in the docket.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 9, 1996.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-9262 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P