[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10039-10040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket: RSPA-98-4957]


Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Approval of an Existing Information Collection

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice seeks comments from the public regarding the need 
for RSPA to collect paperwork information from gas distribution service 
line operators to ensure that those operators who do not maintain all 
of their piping notify their customers that they must maintain the 
piping. This notice is published to measure the need for the proposed 
paperwork collection, ways to minimize the burden on operators who must 
respond, ways to enhance the quality of the information collected, and 
to verify the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (measured 
in work hours) on the regulated industry. By advising customers of the 
need to maintain their buried gas piping, the notices reduce the risk 
of accidents.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 6, 2002 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Please address your comments to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. You must identify the docket number 
RSPA-98-4957 at the beginning of you comments, and you should submit 
two copies of your comments. If you wish to receive confirmation that 
RSPA received your comments, include a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard. You may also submit comments by the Internet to http://dms.dot.gov Once on the DMS website scroll down the page and click on 
``Electronic Submission'' and follow the instructions. You may review 
the public docket containing comments in person in the Dockets Office 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except Federal 
holidays. The Dockets Office is on the plaza level of the NASSIF 
Building at the Department of Transportation at the above address. 
Also, you may review public dockets on the Internet at http.//
http://dms.dot.gov/search">dms.dot.gov/search. Once on the search page, type in the last four 
digits of the docket number shown at the beginning of this notice (in 
this case 4957) and click on ``search.''
    Comments are invited on: (a) The need for the proposed collection 
of information for the proper performance of the functions of the 
agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell, OPS, RSPA, Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590 or 
call at (202) 366-6205 by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Information Collection: Customer-
Owned Service Lines, Customer Notification.
    Type of Request: Existing information collection.
    Abstract: RSPA regulation (49 CFR 192.16) requires operators of gas 
service lines who do not maintain buried customer piping up to building 
walls or certain other locations to notify their customers of the need 
to maintain that piping. Congress directed DOT to take

[[Page 10040]]

this action in view of service line accidents. By advising customers of 
the need to maintain their buried gas piping, the notices may reduce 
the risk of further accidents.
    In addition, each operator must make the following records 
available for inspection by RSPA or a State agency participating under 
49 U.S.C. 60105 or 60106: (1) A copy of the notice currently in use; 
and (2) evidence that notices have been sent to customers within the 
previous 3 years.
    As used in this notice, the terms `information collection' and 
`paperwork collection' are synonymous, and include all work related to 
preparing and disseminating information related to this customer 
notification requirement including completing paperwork, gathering 
information and conducting telephone calls.
    Estimate of Burden: Minimal.
    Respondents: Gas transmission and distribution operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,590,
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 350.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,137 hours.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2002.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-4480 Filed 3-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P