[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]
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