[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13895-13896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2006-24044; Notice 1]


Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Dominion Transmission, Inc.

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to consider waiver request.

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SUMMARY: Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI) requested a waiver of 
compliance from the pipeline safety regulation that requires each 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility constructed after March 31, 2000 
to comply with the American National Standards Institute and National 
Fire Protection Association (ANSI/NFPA) standard for low-pressure 
welded storage containers.

DATES: Persons interested in submitting comments on the waiver request 
described in this Notice must do so by April 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
     DOT Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. To submit comments on 
the DOT electronic docket site, click ``Comment/Submissions,'' click 
``Continue,'' fill in the requested information, click ``Continue,'' 
enter your comment, then click ``Submit.''
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System; Room PL-401 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
     E-Gov Web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site 
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice 
issued by any agency.
    Instructions: You should identify the docket number, PHMSA-2006-
24044, at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments 
by mail, you should submit two copies. If you wish to receive 
confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, you should include a 
self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at 
http://www.regulations.gov, and may access all comments received by DOT 
at http://dms.dot.gov by performing a simple search for the docket 
number. Note: All comments will be posted without changes or edits to 
http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided.
    Privacy Act Statement: Anyone may search the electronic form of all 
comments received for any of our dockets. You may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Reynolds by telephone at 202-
366-2786; by fax at 202-366-4566; by mail at DOT, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline 
Safety, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI), requests a waiver of compliance 
from the regulatory requirements at 49 CFR 193.2301. This regulation 
requires each LNG facility constructed after March 31, 2000, to comply 
with 49 CFR 193 and ANSI/NFPA standard 59A (NFPA 59A).
    NFPA 59A requires that welded containers designed for not more than 
15 pounds per square inch gauge pressure (psig) comply with the Eighth 
Edition, 1990, of American Petroleum Institute standard 620 (API 620), 
Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks 
(Appendix Q). The Eighth Edition of API 620 requires inspection 
according to Appendix Q which calls for the full radiographic 
examination of all vertical and horizontal butt welds associated with 
the container.
    DTI is proposing to use the current Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of 
API 620. The Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API

[[Page 13896]]

620, allows ultrasonic examination--in lieu of radiography--as an 
acceptable alternative non-destructive testing method. DTI proposes to 
use ultrasonic examination on its project. The ultrasonic examination 
consists of full semi-automated and manual examination using shear wave 
probes, and volumetric examination using a combination of creep wave 
probes and focused angled longitudinal wave probes.
    NFPA 59A Technical Committee recently approved and recommended the 
acceptance of the Tenth Edition, 2002 of API 620. PHMSA has not yet 
adopted the Tenth Edition, 2002 of API 620, and has not yet 
incorporated it by reference in Appendix A to Part 193; therefore, a 
waiver is required.
    DTI asserts that ultrasonic examination is more sensitive than 
radiographic examination to detect the type of flaws most susceptible 
in the design and construction of large welded low pressure storage 
tanks. DTI further asserts that any potentially detrimental weld defect 
in the container walls will be identifiable using the ultrasonic 
examination method.
    DTI concludes that the alternative method of inspection allowed by 
the current Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 620, will not reduce the 
integrity of the installation, and will in fact enhance the quality of 
the inspection by using modern inspection technology while improving 
personnel safety and information sharing.
    For the reasons stated, DTI is requesting a waiver from 49 CFR 
193.2301, and is asking that it be allowed to use the ultrasonic 
examination method according to the Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 
620, in lieu of the radiographic examination method as specified by the 
Eighth Edition of API 620.

System Description

    DTI's Cove Point LNG, liquid propane (LP) terminal is located on 
the Chesapeake Bay in Lusby, Maryland. DTI is engaged in an expansion 
project that will increase its plant daily output capacity from 1 
billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day to 1.8 Bcf per day. DTI has sought 
approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for this 
project; and if granted, DTI's storage capacity at the terminal is 
expected to increase to approximately 14.5 Bcf.
    DTI's Cove Point Expansion Project consists of two tanks each with 
a volume of approximately one million barrels. The outer wall of each 
container is constructed of carbon steel and the inner wall is 
constructed of 9% nickel steel.
    PHMSA will consider DTI's waiver request and whether DTI's proposal 
will yield an equivalent or greater degree of safety than that 
currently provided by the regulations. This Notice is PHMSA's only 
request for public comment before making a decision. After considering 
any comments received, PHMSA will either grant DTI's waiver request as 
proposed or with modifications and conditions or deny DTI's request. If 
the waiver is granted and PHMSA subsequently determines that the effect 
of the waiver is inconsistent with pipeline safety, PHMSA may revoke 
the waiver at its sole discretion.


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

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2006.
Joy Kadnar,
Director of Engineering and Engineering Support.
[FR Doc. E6-3853 Filed 3-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P