[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 223 (Monday, November 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration


Pipeline Safety User Fees

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the fiscal year 1997 user fee 
assessments for pipeline facilities will be mailed to pipeline 
operators on or about December 10, 1996. The fees to be assessed for 
natural gas transmission, hazardous liquid and liquefied natural gas 
(LNG) are as indicated below:
    Natural gas transmission pipelines: $67.46 per mile (based on 
295,217 miles of pipeline).
    Hazardous liquid pipelines: $61.27 per mile (based on 155,180 miles 
of pipeline).
    LNG is based on the number of plants and total storage capacity:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Assessment/
              Total storage capacity BBLS                       plant   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<10,000................................................   =      $1,250 
10,000-100,000.........................................   =       2,500 
100,000-250,000........................................   =       3,750 
250,000-500,000........................................   =       5,000 
500,000.....................................   =       7,500 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 60301 of Title 49, United States Code, authorizes the 
assessment and collection of pipeline user fees to fund the pipeline 
safety activities conducted under 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq. The Research 
and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) assesses each operator of 
regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines 
(as defined in 49 CFR Part 192), and hazardous liquid pipelines 
carrying petroleum, petroleum products, anhydrous ammonia and carbon 
dioxide (as defined in 49 CFR Part 195) a share of the total Federal 
pipeline safety program costs in proportion to the number of miles of 
pipeline each operator has in service. Onshore pipelines excluded from 
regulation by 49 CFR 195, are not included. Operators of LNG facilities 
are assessed based on total storage capacity (as defined in 49 CFR Part 
193).
    In accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. Sec. 60301, 
Departmental resources were taken into consideration for determining 
total program costs. The apportionment ratio between gas and liquid, as 
shown below, is a result of increased program resources to the 
hazardous liquid program because of environmental protection 
activities:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    General program     General program 
             Year(s)                  costs (gas)       costs (liquid)  
                                       (percent)           (percent)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986-1990.......................  80................  20                
1991-1992.......................  75................  25                
1993............................  75 (\3/4\yr)......  25 (\3/4\yr)      
                                  60 (\1/4\yr)......  40 (1/4yr)        
1994............................  60................  40                
1995............................  75................  25                
1996............................  65................  35                
1997............................  55................  45                
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with the regulations of the Department of the 
Treasury, user fees will be due 30 days after the date of the 
assessment. Interest, penalties, and administrative charges will be 
assessed on delinquent debts in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717.

    Issued in Washington, DC November 12, 1996.
Richard B. Felder
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-29478 Filed 11-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P