[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52938-52939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket ID PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854]
RIN 2137-AE15


Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program for Gas 
Distribution Pipelines

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is extending the period for public comment to give 
interested persons an additional 30 days to comment on a proposed rule 
to amend the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to require operators 
of gas distribution pipelines to develop and implement integrity 
management (IM) programs.

DATES: Anyone interested in filing written comments on the rule 
proposed in this document must do so by October 23, 2008. PHMSA will 
consider late filed comments so far as practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854 
and may be submitted in the following ways:
     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.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: DOT Docket Operations Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Operations Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: In the E-Gov Web site: http://www.regulations.gov, 
access the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by typing ``PHMSA-RSPA-2004-
19854-0079'' under ``Search Documents'' and clicking ``Go.'' Submit 
your comment by clicking the yellow bubble or ``Send a Comment or 
Submission'' then following the instructions.
    Identify docket number PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854 at the beginning of 
your comments. For comments by mail, please provide two copies. To 
receive PHMSA's confirmation receipt, include a self-addressed stamped 
postcard. Internet users may access all comments at http://www.regulations.gov, by searching for the docket number.

    Note: PHMSA will post all comments without changes or edits to 
http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information 
provided.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni at (202) 366-4571 or by e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA is extending, by 30 days, the comment 
period on the proposed rulemaking published on June 25, 2008 (73 FR 
36015) in response to a petition from American Gas Association (AGA) 
and an informal request from National Association of Pipeline Safety 
Representatives (NAPSR). AGA requested this extension in order to allow 
for more time for interested persons to evaluate the proposed 
rulemaking and submit comments. AGA views the proposed rule as the most 
extensive rulemaking for gas utilities since the code was codified in 
the 1970s. AGA notes that there are more than 1,200 natural gas 
utilities--providing service to more than 70 million Americans--that 
will be affected by the proposed rulemaking. AGA further notes critical 
issues that need to be addressed that were not discussed in the 
Distribution Integrity Management Phase 1 Report which was used to 
develop the proposed rule. In addition, AGA estimates that the proposed 
rule's establishment of a plastic pipe database could result in the 
elimination of the Plastic Pipe Database Committee (PPDC) and the 
16,000 data points that have been established over the last eight 
years. AGA notes that PPDC's scheduled semi-annual meeting on August 
26-27, 2008, does not afford PPDC the proper time for their members to 
discuss the potential impact on their organization, review with their 
constituents, and submit relevant comments to the docket prior to the 
September 23, 2008 comment deadline. PHMSA is granting a 30-day comment 
period extension in an effort to allow for the potentially impacted 
entities to submit comments and ensure that AGA's concerns are 
addressed.
    Background information on the proposed rule may be found on-line at 
the following URLs: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/imp and http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/dimp/.


[[Page 52939]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 8, 2008.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E8-21283 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P