[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36164-36165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19856]


Pipeline Safety: Notice to Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operators of 
Request for Voluntary Advance Notification of Intent To Transport 
Biofuels

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

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is requesting that any hazardous liquid pipeline 
operator intending to transport ethanol, ethanol-gasoline blends, or 
other biofuels by pipeline voluntarily provide us with advance notice 
of their intent to transport these fuels to facilitate cooperation in 
achieving safety. We request that any operator intending to field test 
transportation of biofuels by pipeline notify PHMSA of such testing in 
advance so that PHMSA can work with the operator to address any safety 
concerns that arise. PHMSA will be interested in discussing the steps 
the operator will take to ensure safety during the test and informing 
the local emergency response officials about the product being 
transported.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Mayberry, (202) 366-5124, or by 
e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On August 10, 2007, PHMSA published a Federal Register document 
regarding the transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline (72 FR 
45002). PHMSA advised pipeline operators that the transportation of 
batches of ethanol or other biofuels in an existing petroleum products 
pipeline, and the transportation of blends of biofuels and petroleum 
products, are subject to the pipeline safety regulations and standards. 
The document described the potential technical issues associated with 
transporting biofuels by pipeline including internal corrosion and 
stress corrosion cracking, and the performance of seals, gaskets and 
internal coatings. As with the transportation of any hazardous liquid 
by pipeline, operators intending to transport these new fuels are 
expected to conduct risk analysis, monitoring, and controls as needed 
to move biofuels safely as well as conduct spill response planning for 
the new product. PHMSA seeks to work with pipeline operators that plan 
to transport these new fuels in existing regulated hazardous liquid 
pipelines (or in new pipelines that might be constructed for the 
purpose of transporting ethanol or biofuels). Accordingly, we are 
requesting that operators provide us with advance notice of their 
intent to transport these fuels to facilitate cooperation in achieving 
safety.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-08-05)

    To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems.
    Subject: Notice to Operators of Request for Voluntary Advance 
Notification of Intent to Transport Biofuels.
    Advisory: On August 10, 2007, PHMSA published a Federal Register 
document on the applicability of the pipeline safety regulations to the 
transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline (72 FR 45002). In 
the document, PHMSA noted the technical issues associated with 
transporting biofuels by pipeline including internal corrosion and 
stress corrosion cracking, and the performance of seals, gaskets and 
internal coatings. As with the transportation of any hazardous liquid 
by pipeline, operators intending to transport these new fuels are 
expected to conduct risk analysis, monitoring, and controls as needed 
to move biofuels safely as well as conduct spill response planning for 
the new product. PHMSA seeks to work with pipeline operators that plan 
to transport these new fuels in existing regulated hazardous liquid 
pipelines or in new pipelines that might be constructed for the purpose 
of transporting ethanol or biofuels. Accordingly, we are requesting 
that operators provide us with advance notice of their intent to 
transport these fuels to facilitate cooperation in achieving safety.
    Notice of Field Testing: PHMSA seeks to encourage field testing by 
pipeline operators to accelerate the development of knowledge about the 
safe and reliable transportation of ethanol and biofuels by pipeline. 
We are requesting that any operator intending to field test 
transportation of biofuels by pipeline provide advance notification to 
PHMSA of such testing so that PHMSA can work with the operator to 
address any safety concerns that arise. To the extent proprietary 
concerns permit, PHMSA also seeks to share in the evaluation of the 
results to supplement the information we are receiving from our 
collaborative research efforts and help facilitate standards 
development. Although such field testing would be limited in scope and 
duration, PHMSA will be interested in discussing the steps the operator 
will take to ensure safety during the test and inform local emergency 
response officials about the product being transported.
    Commencement of Commercial Operations: Under 49 CFR part 195, an 
operator is obligated to modify its operating procedures, integrity 
management programs, and emergency response plans, among other things, 
prior to commencing commercial transportation of a new hazardous 
liquid. Under part 194, operators must also update their spill response 
plans to account for the new product being transported. PHMSA will 
apply its proven risk-based regulatory approach to the operation of 
pipelines transporting these fuels. PHMSA requests that any operator 
intending to commence regular commercial transportation of ethanol or 
other biofuels provide advance notification to PHMSA as soon as 
possible, but preferably 60 days in advance, to provide time for 
review. PHMSA is interested in learning about: The work to be performed 
to prepare the pipeline for ethanol or biofuel service; the anticipated 
blend concentration and batch frequency; the additional employee 
training to be conducted; the additional emergency response planning 
and liaison with local emergency response officials, including spill 
response plans; and the plans for ongoing monitoring of the integrity 
of the pipe. We would also like to know what modifications operators 
will make to their written operating and maintenance procedures, 
including their integrity management program and spill response plans 
prior to commencement of operations. On being notified by an operator 
about the new biofuel operations and associated program modifications, 
PHMSA will

[[Page 36165]]

work closely with the operator and provide technical review and 
feedback.
    Submittal: Notifications may be submitted in writing to: 
Information Resources Manager, Office of Pipeline Safety, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, by e-mail to 
[email protected], or by fax to 202-366-7128. 
PHMSA requests the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of 
the person responsible for compliance with the integrity management 
requirements and a physical description of facilities involved 
including pipe design, manufacture, vintage, diameter, relevant 
operating history, and presence of any breakout tanks along with 
project timelines. The public may view summaries of all notifications 
that have been submitted by operators, and the status of PHMSA review 
of each notification, via this Web site. PHMSA expects to receive fewer 
than ten notifications per year.
    Review: PHMSA will review all notifications received from 
operators. Review may include site inspections by PHMSA or state 
pipeline safety agencies, particularly in states with certified 
hazardous liquid programs. If PHMSA finds that an operator's plans and 
operating procedures need additional attention or modification, we will 
provide feedback to the operator.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. chapter 601; 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2008.
William H. Gute,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
 [FR Doc. E8-14137 Filed 6-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P