[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:
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Assessment/
Total storage capacity BBLS plant
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<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
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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:
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General program General program
Year(s) costs (gas) costs (liquid)
(percent) (percent)
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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
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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