[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66155-66156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29392]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration


Pipeline Safety: Self-Assessment of Pipeline Operator Public 
Education Programs

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.

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SUMMARY: RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety (RSPA/OPS) is issuing this 
advisory bulletin to owners and operators of hazardous liquid 
pipelines, gas transmission pipelines, gas distribution pipeline 
systems and gathering pipeline systems regulated under the Federal 
pipeline safety regulations at 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195. In an advisory 
bulletin issued September 5, 2003 (68 FR 52816) RSPA/OPS noted that the 
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) requires each owner or 
operator of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline system to implement a 
continuous public education program on the use of one-call notification 
systems and other damage prevention activities, the indications of and 
hazards of an unintended release of product from a pipeline, the public 
safety steps required after a release, and how to report pipeline 
product releases. This advisory reminds pipeline operators that they 
must complete and submit self-assessments of their public education 
programs to RSPA/OPS for receipt no later than December 17, 2003, to 
meet the deadline established in the PSIA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juan Carlos Martinez, (202) 366-1933; 
or by e-mail, [email protected]. This document can be viewed 
at the OPS home page at http://ops.dot.gov.

I. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-03-08)

    To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid, Gas Transmission, Gas 
Distribution, and Gathering Pipeline Systems.
    Subject: Self-Assessment of Pipeline Operator Public Education 
Programs.
    Purpose: To remind owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid 
pipeline systems of the requirements for effective public education 
programs and of the requirement to complete and submit self-assessments 
of those programs to RSPA/OPS no later than December 17, 2003.
    Advisory: The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) 
requires that each owner or operator of a gas or hazardous liquid 
pipeline system must implement a continuous public education program. 
The PSIA requires that by December 17, 2003, each owner or operator 
must review its existing public education program for effectiveness and 
modify the program as necessary by that date.
    Although submission of the public education program is not required 
at this time, RSPA/OPS advises each operator to document their 
compliance with the PSIA by completing a formal self-assessment of its 
public education program and by comparing this program against the 
guidelines established in the recently-issued, industry consensus 
standard, API RP 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline 
Operators, and has developed a self-assessment form for that purpose. 
The self-assessment forms can be completed and submitted online at 
http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/edu/rp1162.htm. Self-assessment forms may 
also be downloaded from the same Web address and submitted to RSPA/OPS 
via E-mail, fax, or other delivery method.
    Operators must submit their self-assessments to RSPA/OPS for 
receipt no later than December 17, 2003:
    [sbull] Completed electronic forms may be submitted to RSPA/OPS as 
E-mail attachments at: [email protected].
    [sbull] Hard-copy forms can be completed and sent to RSPA/OPS via 
fax, U.S. mail, or other delivery methods, but must be received by 
RSPA/OPS no later than December 17, 2003. Delivery of documents should 
be confirmed. Forms submitted by mail or other delivery methods should 
be sent to: Attn: Juan Carlos Martinez, Room 7128, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of 
Pipeline Safety, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
    Faxes should be sent to: Juan Carlos Martinez, fax  202-
366-4566. (Operators may call 202-366-1933 for confirmation of fax 
receipt).
    Operators are encouraged to also provide copies of their self-
assessments to the appropriate state pipeline safety agencies.

II. Background

    The Federal pipeline safety regulations at 49 CFR 192 and 49 CFR 
195 require operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to 
establish continuing education programs to enable customers, the 
public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in 
excavation activities to recognize a pipeline emergency for the purpose 
of reporting to the operator or the appropriate public officials. The 
regulations also require operators to establish and maintain liaison 
with appropriate fire, police, and other public officials and to 
develop and implement written programs to prevent pipeline damage from 
excavation activities.
    The PSIA requires that each owner or operator of a gas or hazardous 
liquid pipeline system implement a continuous public education program 
on the use of one-call notification systems prior to excavation and 
other damage prevention activities, possible hazards associated with 
unintended releases from the pipeline system, physical indications that 
such a release may have occurred, what steps should be taken for public 
safety in the event of a pipeline release, and how to report such an 
event.
    The PSIA requires that by December 17, 2003, each owner or operator 
of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline system must review its existing 
public education program for effectiveness and modify the program as 
necessary. The completed program must include activities to advise 
affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of 
pipeline system locations. The completed program must be submitted upon 
request to the Secretary of Transportation or, in the case of an 
intrastate pipeline system operator, to the appropriate State agency, 
and shall be periodically reviewed by the Secretary or, in the case of 
an intrastate pipeline system operator, the appropriate State agency.
    The PSIA also provides that the Secretary of Transportation may 
develop material for use in the program and issue standards prescribing 
the elements of an effective public education program.
    In recognition of the importance of effective public education 
programs and outstanding recommendations from the

[[Page 66156]]

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and anticipated 
legislative action in this regard, a pipeline industry Task Force has 
developed a consensus standard establishing guidelines for pipeline 
operators on development, implementation, and evaluation of public 
awareness programs for operating pipeline systems, API Recommended 
Practice (RP) 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators. 
The Task Force included representatives from gas and hazardous liquid 
pipeline companies, local gas distribution companies, gathering 
pipeline system operators, and pipeline industry trade associations. 
Additional comments were solicited from local public officials, the 
public, and other interested parties. Representatives from RSPA/OPS and 
the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) 
observed and provided comments on the development of the standard.
    API RP 1162 was balloted and approved following the guidelines of 
both the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI). After revisions to reflect comments, it was 
published as a national consensus standard in September 2003.
    RSPA/OPS considers that ``public education programs,'' as used in 
the PSIA, and ``public awareness programs,'' as used in API RP 1162, 
are the same concept. The level of public education and awareness 
regarding pipeline operations and safety can be improved only through 
education and communication programs that are demonstrated to be 
effective. Therefore, RSPA/OPS plans to initiate a new rulemaking, 
setting minimum requirements for pipeline operators to develop, 
implement, and manage public education programs. RSPA/OPS will 
incorporate by reference into the new rule, all or portions of the 
guidance provided in API RP 1162.
    RSPA/OPS has evaluated the PSIA requirements that operators review 
and modify their public education programs and submit their completed 
programs upon request to RSPA/OPS or the appropriate state pipeline 
safety agency. We have determined that the intent of the requirements 
can be met and pipeline safety can be best served in the short-term by 
having pipeline operators document their compliance with the PSIA by 
completing a formal self-assessment of their public education programs 
and evaluating these programs against the guidelines provided in API RP 
1162. Therefore, RSPA/OPS has developed a self-assessment form that 
will help operators identify gaps in their public education programs 
and improvements needed to align those programs with the requirements 
of API RP 1162.
    Operators must complete and submit self-assessments of their public 
education programs to RSPA/OPS no later than December 17, 2003, to meet 
the deadline established in the PSIA. Operators are encouraged to 
complete and submit the self-assessment online. Operators are 
encouraged to also provide copies of their self-assessments to the 
appropriate state pipeline safety agencies. The self-assessment forms 
can be found online at http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/edu/rp1162.htm.
    Alternatively, a Microsoft Word form for electronic completion of 
the self-assessment form may be downloaded and completed offline. Or, a 
file for hard-copy printing and completion of the self-assessment may 
be downloaded and completed offline. Self-assessment forms downloaded 
and completed offline must be submitted to RSPA/OPS for receipt no 
later than December 17, 2003.
    Operators will be required in the future to submit their public 
education program plans to the RSPA/OPS for review. Time frames for 
submission will be determined by the RSPA/OPS and operators will be 
notified. These plans should identify how the operators will address 
gaps and make improvements in their public education programs. Operator 
public education programs will be subject to inspection by RSPA/OPS and 
the appropriate state pipeline safety agency.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 19, 2003.
James K. O'Steen,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 03-29392 Filed 11-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P