[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 4487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2211]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-01-10867; Notice 2]


Pipeline Safety: Petition for Waiver; Williams Gas Pipelines-West

    Williams Gas Pipelines-West (or ``Williams'') petitioned the 
Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) for a waiver from 
compliance with the regulation at 49 CFR 192.611(d) until June 30, 
2003. This regulation requires pipeline operators to confirm or revise 
the maximum allowable operating pressure of certain gas transmission 
lines within 18 months after population growth changes the 
classification of the line.
    The petition concerns a 1500-foot pipeline segment constructed in 
1991 in Utah County, Utah, that changed from Class 2 to Class 3 due to 
development of a subdivision. The segment is part of the Kern River 
natural gas transmission line, which runs from Wyoming to the San 
Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield, California, where the gas is used in 
the generation of electricity.
    The petition indicates the change in classification comes while 
Williams is undertaking an expansion project on its Kern River line, 
which it plans to complete in 2003, pending approval by the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission. Rather than replace the 1500-foot segment 
with new pipe to satisfy Sec. 192.611(d), the petition indicates 
Williams prefers to relocate the segment to a less populated right-of-
way as part of the expansion project. The relocation alternative would 
result in a single impact to land owners and the environment during the 
construction.
    In response to Williams' petition, we published a notice explaining 
why granting a waiver from 49 CFR 192.611(d) until June 30, 2003, to 
allow Williams time to carry out its relocation plan, would not be 
inconsistent with pipeline safety (Notice 1; 66 FR 59045; Nov. 26, 
2001). In that notice, we invited interested persons to submit written 
comments on the proposed waiver by December 26, 2001. However, we did 
not receive any comments on the proposed waiver.
    In accordance with the foregoing, RSPA, by this order, finds that 
compliance with Sec. 192.611(d) is unnecessary for the reasons stated 
in Notice 1 of this proceeding, and that granting Williams' requested 
waiver would not be inconsistent with pipeline safety. Accordingly, 
Williams' petition for waiver from compliance with Sec. 192.611(d) is 
granted until June 30, 2003. As stated in Notice 1, if there is an 
unforeseen delay in the relocation project, we may extend the June 30, 
2003, deadline up to an additional 6 months without further opportunity 
to comment by publishing a notice of such extension in the Federal 
Register.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118(c); and 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 24, 2002.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-2211 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P