[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13161]



[[Page 28136]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket No. PS-107; Notice 2]
RIN 2137-AB50


Determining the Extent of Corrosion on Gas Pipelines

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental assessment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Gas pipeline operators must examine buried metallic pipelines 
for corrosion when the pipeline is exposed. RSPA proposed to require 
that operators investigate further to determine the extent of any 
harmful corrosion that is found. A draft environmental assessment of 
this proposed rule is available in the docket.

DATES: Interested persons may submit written comments on the Draft 
Environmental Assessment until June 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in duplicate to Marvin Fell, Room 7428, 
Research and Special Programs Administration, U. S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Identify 
the docket and notice number stated in the heading of this notice. All 
comments and docketed material will be available for inspection and 
copying in Room 7428 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each business day.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell at (202) 366-6205 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Whenever a gas pipeline operator learns that 
a buried metallic pipeline has been exposed, the operator is required 
to examine the exposed portion of the pipeline for evidence of external 
corrosion, if the pipeline is bare or has a deteriorated coating (49 
CFR 192.459). In a notice of proposed rulemaking (54 FR 27041; June 27, 
1989), RSPA proposed to amend this standard to require that when 
corrosion requiring remedial action is found, the operator investigate 
further to determine the extent of the corrosion.
    We have analyzed the proposed rule for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Only in limited 
circumstances will operators marginally enlarge an area of exposed pipe 
to investigate the extent of corrosion, and less harmful investigative 
techniques will be used where necessary to safeguard people and the 
environment. Thus, we have determined that the proposed rule would not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. A draft 
environmental assessment document is available for review in the 
docket.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-13161 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-U