[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 229 (Monday, November 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 65864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31781]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket RSPA-98-4799]


Pipeline Safety User Fees

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the fiscal year 1999 user fee 
assessments for pipeline facilities. The assessments will be mailed to 
pipeline operators on or about December 15, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Kokoszka, OPS, (202) 366-4554, 
regarding the subject matter of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fees to be assessed for natural gas 
transmission, hazardous liquid and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are as 
indicated below:
    Natural gas transmission pipelines: $70.47 per mile (based on 
288,205 miles of pipeline).
    Hazardous liquid pipelines: $57.88 per mile (based on 156,828 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. 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. Onshore pipelines 
excluded from regulation by 49 CFR part 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. 60301, Departmental 
resources were taken into consideration for determining total program 
costs. The apportionment ratio between gas and liquid, as shown below, 
increased in recent years with our environmental protection activities 
in the hazardous liquid program area:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General    General
                                                     program    program
                      Year(s)                         costs      costs
                                                      (gas)     (liquid)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986-1990 (percent)...............................         80         20
1991-1992 (percent)...............................         75         25
1993 (percent)....................................     \1\ 75     \1\ 25
    Do............................................     \2\ 60     \2\ 40
1994 (percent)....................................         60         40
1995 (percent)....................................         75         25
1996 (percent)....................................         65         35
1997-1999 (percent)...............................         55        45
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ \3/4\ yr.    \2\ \1/4\ yr.

    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.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60301.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 24, 1998.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-31781 Filed 11-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P