[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25433]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket ID PHMSA-RSPA-2003-15852]


Pipeline Safety: Workshop on Public Awareness Programs for 
Pipeline Operators and Location of Line Markers

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

ACTION: Notice of workshop.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA will host a workshop to provide stakeholders with an 
update on public awareness programs for pipeline operators and to 
discuss the location of line markers. On the first day, PHMSA will 
share the findings from its review of written public awareness 
programs. The workshop will also include discussion of potential 
revisions to the first edition of the American Petroleum Institute 
(API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162. Pipeline operators will also 
share some lessons learned from their implementation of public 
awareness programs based on RP 1162. On the second day, PHMSA will lead 
a discussion on the location of line markers.

DATES: The workshop will be held on February 20-21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop 
South, Houston, TX 77027. Hotel reservations under the Department of 
Transportation room block can be made at (713) 297-4323. The meeting 
room will be posted at the hotel on the day of the workshop.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Keener at (202) 366-0970, or by 
e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Registration: Members of the public may 
attend this free workshop. To register for a workshop, select Public 
Awareness and Pipeline Marker Workshop from http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/. Hotel reservations must be made by 
contacting the hotel directly.
    Web Casting: The part of the workshop on public awareness programs 
will be web cast and available for viewing for two months after the 
workshop. The web cast will be accessible at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/PublicAwarenessWorkshops.htm.
    Background on public awareness programs: Between August 8, 2006, 
and October 15, 2007, pipeline operators submitted 1,568 public 
awareness programs to PHMSA for a centralized review. Public awareness 
programs are required by 49 CFR 192.616 and 49 CFR 195.440 to improve 
awareness of pipeline safety with four stakeholder audiences: the 
affected public, emergency officials, local public officials, and 
excavators. These regulations require operators to follow the guidance 
of API RP 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators, First 
Edition, December 2003.
    The review examined each program to determine whether it followed 
the recommendations of API RP 1162. Aspects of the program that 
deviated from the recommendation in API RP 1162 were sent to the 
appropriate pipeline safety agency or agencies for resolution with the 
pipeline operator. PHMSA will present summary statistics from the 
centralized review of the programs.
    The API typically publishes new editions of recommended practices 
every five years. The workshop will include discussion about potential 
revisions to API RP 1162 for the second edition.
    The recommendations in API RP 1162 have led some pipeline operators 
to develop new and innovative approaches to improving pipeline safety 
awareness among the stakeholder audiences. The workshop will provide 
pipeline operators with an opportunity to share lessons learned from 
implementing new ideas.
    Background on line markers: The pipeline safety regulations require 
the use of line markers to alert the public as to the presence of 
buried pipelines. The regulation applicable to gas pipelines is found 
at 49 CFR 192.707. The regulation applicable to hazardous liquid 
pipelines is found at 49 CFR 195.410. The workshop will include 
discussion about the appropriate interval between markers and 
conditions which make it impractical to use markers.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 21, 2007.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E7-25433 Filed 12-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P