[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 60881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-03-15852]


Pipeline Safety: Workshops on Public Awareness Programs for 
Pipeline Operators

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice of workshops.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety 
Representatives (NAPSR) will host two workshops to help ensure full 
compliance with new public awareness program requirements for pipeline 
operators. PHMSA will provide an update on the compliance review plan. 
In addition, these workshops will provide a forum to share strategies 
for implementing these new requirements successfully. Participants can 
learn about collaborative efforts undertaken in different sectors of 
the pipeline industry to improve both the effectiveness and efficiency 
of their related programs.

DATES: The November workshop will focus on helping gas distribution 
operators improve their public awareness programs. It will be held on 
November 9-10, 2005. The December workshop will focus on helping 
hazardous liquid and gas transmission operators improve their public 
awareness programs. It will be held on December 7-8, 2005. Both 
workshops will begin at 1 p.m. on the first day and end at noon on the 
second day.

ADDRESSES: The November 9-10, 2005, workshop will be held at the Hyatt 
Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 
21202. Hotel reservations under the U.S. Department of Transportation 
room block can be made at 410-528-1234 or 1-800-233-1234. The meeting 
room will be posted at the hotel on the day of workshop.
    The December 7-8, 2005, meeting will be held at the Hilton America, 
1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010. Hotel reservations under the U.S. 
Department of Transportation room block can be made at 713-739-8000 or 
1-800-4HILTON. The meeting room will be posted at the hotel on the day 
of workshop.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Keener, OPS, (202) 366-0970, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Registration: To register for the workshops, 
select the workshop you would like to attend from http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/. Hotel reservations must be made by 
contacting the hotel directly.
    Web Casting: Both workshops will be Web cast and will be available 
for one month after each workshop. The Web cast Internet address will 
be posted to the registration Web page prior to the workshop.
    Background: The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires 
operators to evaluate and, where needed, improve their pipeline safety 
public awareness programs. The Act also authorized the Secretary of 
Transportation to prescribe standards to govern these programs. 
Accordingly, PHMSA issued a Final Rule (70 FR 28833) on May 19, 2005, 
establishing requirements for pipeline operator public awareness 
programs. This Final Rule revised 49 CFR 192.616 and 195.440.
    The revised regulations require operators of pipeline systems to 
implement public awareness programs in accordance with American 
Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, Public 
Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators, First Edition, December 
2003. On June 16, 2005, PHMSA issued a Final Rule Correction Notice (70 
FR 35041) to clarify that all pipeline system operators must follow the 
baseline and, where appropriate, the supplemental requirements of API 
RP 1162. Most operators must enhance their public awareness programs to 
meet the new requirements by June 20, 2006. Small propane and master 
meter operators have until June 20, 2007, to revise their programs. The 
announced workshops will provide additional guidance to operators as 
they revise their public awareness programs.
    PHMSA has created a public awareness resource Web page at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/PublicEducation.htm.
    PHMSA and NAPSR will begin each workshop with a brief presentation 
on the Public Awareness Program Final Rule and the Final Rule 
Correction. Industry presentations will describe efforts industry has 
undertaken to ensure effective and efficient compliance with these 
rules, including guidance on how to:
     Determine the content of public awareness messages;
     Establish delivery methods for public awareness messages;
     Determine supplemental enhancements to baseline programs; 
and
     Evaluate public awareness program effectiveness.
    PHMSA and NAPSR will discuss oversight plans. In particular, they 
will discuss current plans to use a central clearinghouse approach to 
review public awareness programs. Finally, PHMSA will respond to 
frequently asked questions.
    PHMSA will post agendas for the workshops on its Web site (http://phmsa.dot.gov/) approximately two weeks prior to the workshop.

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 13, 2005.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-20867 Filed 10-13-05; 3:40 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P