[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71713-71714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33207]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. RSPA-99-6355; Notice 2]


Pipeline Safety: Enhanced Safety and Environmental Protection for 
Gas Transmission and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines in High-Consequence 
Areas

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

ACTION: Notice extending comment period and establishing Electronic 
Public Discussion Forum.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) 
will extend to January 17, 2000, the comment period following the 
public meeting on pipeline system integrity programs in high-
consequence areas. This notice also announces that OPS is establishing 
an electronic public discussion forum on pipeline system integrity 
management. OPS requests comments that address how to provide 
additional safety and environmental protection for gas transmission 
pipelines and hazardous liquid pipelines in high-consequence areas 
through regulated integrity management programs.

DATES: No later than January 17, 2000, comments can be submitted over 
the Internet to the OPS integrity management site at http://
ops.dot.gov/imp.htm. You may also submit written comments by mail or 
delivery directly to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001. Comments may be submitted directly to the docket at the 
following Internet Web address: http://dms.dot gov. Click on ``Help & 
Information'' for instructions on how to file a document 
electronically. All comments should identify the docket and notice 
numbers stated in the heading of this notice. Anyone desiring 
confirmation of mailed comments must include a self-addressed stamped 
postcard.

ADDRESSES: The Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level, Room PL-
401, of the U.S. Department of Transportation building, 400 7th St., 
SW, Washington, DC. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni (tel: 202-366-4571; E-
mail: [email protected]). You can access additional information 
and participate in a discussion forum at the OPS pipeline system 
integrity management Internet site at http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On November 18-19, 1999, the Office of Pipeline Safety held a 
public meeting to discuss the need for additional safety and 
environmental regulations for pipelines in high-consequence areas 
(i.e., areas where a pipeline failure could have serious consequences 
for the public or the environment). The notice announcing the meeting 
was published on October 21, 1999, at 64 FR 56725. OPS wanted 
information on pipeline operators' system integrity management programs 
so that it could incorporate a process into the regulations for 
validating pipeline system integrity in high-consequences areas. OPS is 
committed to enhancing protection in these areas for several reasons. 
OPS and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations and 
analyses of major pipeline incidents have underscored the importance of 
protecting areas of high population density and environmentally 
sensitive areas. Congressional mandates have directed OPS to undertake 
various activities in these areas, including requiring periodic 
pipeline inspections in areas of high population density and in areas 
unusually sensitive to environmental damage.
    Recent OPS initiatives have validated the importance of focusing 
pipeline resources and establishing higher levels of protection in 
areas where a pipeline accident could have serious consequences. OPS 
has seen a wide array of existing operator safety programs that 
identify, assess, and address all significant risks to the pipeline in 
an integrated manner. These operator-developed programs closely examine 
in-line inspection survey data, together with other surveillance and 
operating data, (e.g., expected population growth, land use, 
construction activity along the pipeline) and other information 
relevant to ensuring the integrity of the pipeline in high population 
areas and in environmentally sensitive areas.

Need for Extending Comment Period and Opening Electronic Discussion 
Forum

    The November public meeting gathered information from government, 
industry, and public participants on integrity management programs and 
how to deal with integrity issues in high-consequence areas. The 
meeting provided a wealth of information on identifying high-
consequence areas, testing and inspection technologies, and using risk 
data to manage pipeline system integrity. The meeting revealed the 
complexity inherent in requiring integrity management inspections and 
programs in high-consequence areas. Breakout sessions addressed the 
following issues:
     What are the key elements and characteristics of integrity 
management within companies?

--What are the characteristics of high-consequence areas?
--What are the minimum standards for integrity management programs?
--What elements should OPS review, evaluate, and inspect?

     What means are used to assemble and integrate information?

--What types of information need to be integrated to ensure pipeline 
system integrity?
--What are the key questions for OPS to ask during an inspection?

    At the meeting, OPS announced that written comments on pipeline 
system integrity management issues would be accepted through December 
20, 1999. The questions raised at the public meeting and subsequent 
discussions with the pipeline industry and regulators have shown that 
more time is needed to prepare and file comments. Therefore, we are 
extending the comment period to January 17, 2000. We are also setting 
up an electronic discussion forum so that we can get a free exchange of 
ideas on how to implement a pipeline system integrity management 
process into the pipeline safety regulations. This forum will be open 
until at least January 17, 2000. The transcript of the November 18-19, 
1999, public meeting and public comments concerning issues raised at 
the meeting are available in the docket, which is accessible at the 
Dockets Facility or through the OPS pipeline system integrity 
management Internet site.

[[Page 71714]]

    After the public meeting, OPS began discussing a conceptual model 
for ensuring extra protection in high-consequence areas. This model, 
along with additional information on the public meeting and on pipeline 
system integrity management issues for high-consequence areas, is 
posted on OPS's pipeline system integrity management Internet site at 
http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm. Information on this site includes:
     General Summary of the November 18, 1999 public meeting
     Discussion page for facilitating communication
     Federal Register Notice on the November 18, 1999 public 
meeting
     Meeting Agenda and selected presentations/summaries by 
various speakers.
     Meeting transcripts for November 18, 1999 public meeting
     Summary of the Breakout sessions
     Conceptual pipeline system integrity management model for 
high-consequence areas
     Link to the DMS page for submissions to the electronic 
docket
     Contact (e-mail) information for Mike Israni and Beth 
Callsen
    RSPA encourages all interested persons to access the pipeline 
system integrity management conceptual model and other background 
information at http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm.
    In particular, OPS wants comment on how to improve protection for 
the public and the environment for pipelines located in high-
consequence areas through a more integrated approach to identifying and 
addressing risks. Interested persons are urged to present their views 
on whether and what additional inspection requirements or other 
preventive and mitigative actions are needed to ensure adequate 
protection of high-consequence areas. Comments are sought from pipeline 
companies on the extent of their inspection and testing programs, the 
types of inspection tools employed, and experience with intervals 
between inspections and testing. OPS is also interested in comments on 
the expected cumulative costs and benefits associated with implementing 
a pipeline system integrity management process, on whether any of these 
measures would have a disproportionate impact on small operators, and 
any concerns on the information collection, recordkeeping, or reporting 
requirements of this initiative under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 USC 3057(d)).

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. Chapter 601 and 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 17, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-33207 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
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