[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12053-12054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT

[Docket No. RSPA-99-5611; Notice 18]


Pipeline Safety: Northwest Pipeline Corporation Approved for 
Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of risk demonstration project approval and finding of no 
significant impact.

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SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) 
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has issued a Risk Management 
Demonstration Project Order authorizing Northwest Pipeline Corporation 
(a part of Williams Gas Pipeline) to participate in the Pipeline Risk 
Management Demonstration Program. OPS has also made a finding that 
Northwest's demonstration project will have no significant impacts on 
the environment.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this or any other demonstration project will be 
accepted in the Docket throughout the 4-year demonstration period. 
Comments should be sent to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001, or you can E-Mail your comments to 
[email protected]. Comments should identify the docket number 
RSPA-99-5611. Persons should submit the original comment document and 
one (1) copy. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of 
their comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. The 
Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building 
in Room 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC. The Dockets 
Facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Callsen, OPS, (202) 366-
4572, regarding the subject matter of this document. Contact the 
Dockets Unit, (202) 366-5046, for docket material. Comments may also be 
reviewed on line at the DOT Docket Management System web site at http://dms.dot.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Project Authorization

    On January 11, 2000, OPS, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 60126, issued 
Northwest Pipeline Corporation a Risk Management Demonstration Project 
Order authorizing Northwest to conduct a risk management project on its 
interstate natural gas transmission pipeline system that extends from 
Sumas, Washington to the San Juan Basin in Colorado. OPS has 
determined, after a comprehensive review of Northwest's demonstration 
project, that the project is expected to provide superior safety.
    More detailed descriptions of all aspects of the Northwest 
demonstration project, including the OPS rationale for approving the 
project, are available in the following documents:
    (1) 64 FR 67602, ``Pipeline Safety: Intent to Approve Project and 
Environmental Assessment for the Northwest Pipeline Corporation 
Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Project,'' December 2, 1999.
    (2) ``Demonstration Project Prospectus: Northwest Pipeline 
Corporation,'' available by contacting Elizabeth M. Callsen at 202-366-
4572. Includes maps of the demonstration segments.
    (3) ``Northwest Pipeline Corporation--Application for DOT-OPS Risk 
Management Demonstration Program,'' March 18, 1999, available via the 
Pipeline Risk Management Information System (PRIMIS), on the OPS Home 
Page at http://ops.dot.gov.
    (4) Northwest Pipeline Corporation Final Work Plan, December 17, 
1999, available via the Pipeline Risk Management Information System 
(PRIMIS), on the OPS Home Page at http://ops.dot.gov.
    (5) ``Risk Management Demonstration Project Order'' for Northwest 
Pipeline Corporation, January 11, 2000.

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

    OPS has reviewed Northwest's project for conformity with section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332), 
the Council on Environmental Quality implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1500-1508), and Department of Transportation Order 5610.1c, Procedures 
for Considering Environmental Impacts. OPS conducted an Environmental 
Assessment of Northwest's project (64 FR 67602, ``Pipeline Safety: 
Intent to Approve Project and Environmental Assessment for the 
Northwest Pipeline Corporation Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration 
Project,'' December 2, 1999).
    OPS received no public comment on the Environmental Assessment. 
Based on the analysis and conclusions reached in the Environmental 
Assessment and the analyses conducted in the above-listed documents, 
OPS has determined

[[Page 12054]]

that there are no significant impacts on the environment associated 
with this action. The Environmental Assessment and the other above-
listed documents are incorporated by reference into this FONSI.
    To summarize, OPS believes that the risk control activities 
Northwest is proposing for the Demonstration Project will provide 
superior protection for people living near the Northwest pipeline 
system when compared to current regulatory requirements. Although the 
project is expected to provide environmental benefits, due to the 
minimal environmental impact associated with gas pipeline failures, 
these beneficial impacts are not expected to be significant. The 
additional environmental protection comes primarily from reducing the 
likelihood that pipeline failures will occur. If the number of failures 
is reduced, the cumulative environmental damage from these failures 
will also be reduced. The reduction in the likelihood of future 
pipeline failures is expected to be realized system-wide through 
several activities and programs that exceed regulatory requirements, 
including:
     An expanded and enhanced geological hazards program. 
Northwest should improve its ability to anticipate when land movement 
near its pipeline might occur, and take appropriate action to prevent 
failure.
     The stress corrosion cracking coupon monitoring program. 
Northwest should be able to better understand when this condition might 
occur, and thus take appropriate remedial action.
    In addition, Northwest is proposing specific activities to reduce 
the risk from increased population at the specific sites identified in 
the Environmental Assessment. These activities include:
     Enhanced third party damage prevention activities should 
reduce the likelihood that excavators will damage the line.
     Internal inspection and repair of anomalies will produce 
additional protection from corrosion, construction defects, and prior 
outside force damage.
     Installation of remote operators on block valves near 
areas of relatively high land movement potential. These remotely 
operated valves will allow the gas control center to rapidly isolate a 
section of the line if a failure occurs, thereby minimizing the 
duration of any fire that might occur.
     Improved training and exercises with emergency personnel 
on how to respond effectively to pipeline failures.
    More detailed information on these risk control activities and 
their expected impacts is available in the Environmental Assessment 
referenced previously.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 1, 2000.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-5493 Filed 3-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P