[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 35319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16664]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT

[Docket No. RSPA-99-6355]


Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Integrity Management in High 
Consequence Areas (Hazardous Liquid Operators With 500 or More Miles of 
Pipeline)

AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Programs 
Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of workshop.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces two, two-day workshops on 49 CFR part 
195.452, ``Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas'', 
effective May 29, 2001. On Day 1, OPS will familiarize participants 
with the new requirements, and present and seek comments on the 
approach OPS plans to use for achieving compliance. On Day 2, OPS will 
provide a forum for participants to share and discuss noteworthy 
integrity management practices that achieve compliance with the rule.

Workshop Dates and Addresses

    (1) The first workshop will be on August 7-8, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. 
to 5 p.m., at the DoubleTree Hotel Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Boulevard, 
Houston, Texas, 77056, 713-961-9300 or 800-566-5216. No later than July 
23, 2001, rooms may be reserved within a block identified as ``DOT/IMP 
Public Meeting Block''.
    (2) The second workshop will be on October 10-11, from 8:30 a.m. to 
5 p.m., at the Renaissance Houston Hotel, 6 Greenway Plaza East, 
Houston, Texas, 77046, 713-629-1200 or 800-Hotels-1. No later than 
September 12, 2001, rooms may be reserved within a block identified as 
``DOT/IMP Public Meeting Block''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Callsen (tel: 202-366-4572; E-
mail: [email protected]). For event planning purposes, please 
let Ms. Callsen know if you will attend. Also notify Ms. Callsen if you 
are interested in being a presenter on Day 2 of one or both of the 
workshops. You can read comments and other related material in the 
docket on the Internet at: http://dms.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    OPS's integrity management initiative is intended to improve safety 
and environmental protection and to provide better assurance to the 
public about the safety of pipelines. It is also intended to 
comprehensively address National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 
recommendations, Congressional mandates and pipeline safety and 
environmental issues raised over the years. It is based on the 
culmination of experience OPS has gained from pipeline inspections, 
accident investigations and risk management and system integrity 
initiatives.
    OPS's first integrity management rule (65 FR 75378), issued on 
November 3, 2000 and effective on May 29, 2001, applies to hazardous 
liquid operators who own or operate 500 or more miles of pipeline. The 
rule applies to pipelines that can affect high consequence areas 
(HCAs), which include populated areas defined by the Census Bureau as 
urbanized areas or places, unusually sensitive environmental areas, and 
commercially navigable waterways.
    OPS believes that the new rule requires fundamental change in the 
integrity management practices of many affected pipeline operators. As 
compliance deadlines approach, OPS is hosting two workshops to promote 
a better understanding of the new requirements, and to discuss 
compliance approaches operators are applying to various aspects of the 
rule. OPS will host additional workshops if needed.

Day 1: Integrity Management Rule--Compliance and Available Resources

    Day 1 will feature presentations intended to familiarize 
participants with the rule requirements and available resources and 
guidance material. OPS will also present and seek comment on the 
inspection approach OPS is developing to achieve compliance. Topics 
will include:
     The rule requirements
     API Standard 1160
     The National Pipeline Mapping System
     The proposed inspection approach

--Segment identification inspection and completeness check
--Comprehensive program reviews
--Inspection of operator program implementation
--Managing operator notifications
--Enforcement
--Clearinghouse and points of contact for questions about the rule

     Additional resources for the industry
     Questions and Answers

Day 2: Forum to Share Noteworthy Integrity Management Practices

    Day 2 will feature a series of presentations by pipeline operators 
on features of their Integrity Management Programs that OPS believes 
merit wider dissemination. Via the presentations, OPS hopes to 
encourage a peer-to-peer exchange among operators of innovative 
approaches being developed to enhance pipeline integrity and comply 
with the rule. Each presentation will be followed by an open discussion 
among meeting participants. Based on these discussions, OPS will kick-
off development of an on-line forum that will enable continued 
exchanges between federal and state regulators, representatives of 
public interest and environmental organizations, the pipeline industry, 
and other interested parties about noteworthy practices.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2001.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 01-16664 Filed 7-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P