[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 43040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20634]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)

[Docket No. RSPA-98-4470]


Pipeline Safety: Meeting of Gas Pipeline Safety Advisory 
Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of technical pipeline safety standards advisory 
committee meeting (TPSSC).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 1) notice is given of a public 
meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) to 
be conducted by the Research and Special Programs Administration's 
(RSPA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS). The meeting will be held on 
Thursday, September 13, 2001 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    The TPSSC is a statutorily mandated advisory committee that advises 
RSPA on proposed safety standards for gas pipelines. The committee 
consists of 15 members--five each representing government, industry, 
and the public.
    On July 27, 2001, RSPA issued a notice of request for comments, 
``Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Gas 
Transmission Pipelines),'' (66 FR 34318). RSPA sought further 
information and clarification, and invited further public comment about 
integrity management concepts as they relate to gas pipelines. A copy 
of the notice and comments received in docket number RSPA 00-7666 are 
available over the Internet from the DOT Dockets Management System 
http://dms.dot.gov. To prepare the TPSSC for future consideration of 
proposed rules on integrity management programs for gas pipelines, RSPA 
will brief the Committee on integrity management concepts for gas 
pipelines and on the comments received in response to the notice.
    Discussions will be focused on a summary of comments on the seven 
elements described in the notice:
    1. Defining high consequence areas.
    2. Identifying and evaluating threats to pipeline integrity.
    3. Selecting the assessment technologies.
    4. Determining time frames to conduct a baseline integrity 
assessment and to make repairs.
    5. Identifying and implementing additional preventive and 
mitigative measures.
    6. Continually evaluating and reassessing pipeline segments.
    7. Monitoring the effectiveness of the management process.
    In addition, the TPSSC will be briefed on the progress of the 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers' B31.8 Committee on the 
Integrity Management Standard. This new standard will outline the 
technical guidance for implementation of an operator's integrity 
management plan, including data management, quality control, management 
of change and communication.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Juan Carlos Martinez at (202) 366-1933.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Whetsel, OPS, (202) 366-4431 or 
Richard Huriaux, OPS, (202) 366-4565, regarding the subject matter of 
this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public may attend the meeting 
in person at Dulles Airport Marriott, 45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 
20166; phone (703) 471-9500. Due to limited space, anyone wishing to 
attend or participate should notify Juan Carlos Martinez, at (202) 366-
1933, not later than August 30, 2001.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60102, 60115.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 10, 2001.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 01-20634 Filed 8-15-01; 8:45 am]
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