[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 67807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27774]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0307]


Pipeline Safety: Emergency Preparedness Communications

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

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing an Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of 
gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that they must make their 
pipeline emergency response plans available to local emergency response 
officials. PHMSA recommends that operators provide their emergency 
response plans to officials through their required liaison and public 
awareness activities. PHMSA intends to evaluate the extent to which 
operators have provided their emergency plans to local emergency 
officials when PHMSA performs future inspections for compliance with 
liaison and public awareness code requirements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Hess by phone at 202-366-4595 or 
by e-mail at [email protected]. Information about PHMSA may be found at 
http://phmsa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Federal regulations for both gas and hazardous liquid pipelines 
require operators to have written procedures for responding to 
emergencies involving their pipeline facility. Because pipelines are 
often located in public space, the regulations further require that 
operators include procedures for planning with emergency and other 
public officials to ensure a coordinated response. Under 49 CFR 
192.605, 192.615, and 195.402, operators must include in their 
emergency plans provisions for coordinating with appropriate fire, 
police, and other public officials both preplanned drills and actual 
responses to pipeline emergencies. Operators must also establish and 
maintain liaison with the emergency officials to, among other things, 
acquaint the officials and the operator with their respective 
responsibilities and resources in planning for and responding to 
emergencies.
    Under Sec. Sec.  192.616 and 195.440, operators must also develop 
and implement a written continuing public education program that 
follows the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practice 
(RP) 1162. Incorporated by reference, API RP 1162 further requires 
operators to develop their emergency response plans with appropriate 
emergency officials to include in such plans information about how 
emergency officials can access the operator's emergency response plan, 
and to conduct emergency response drills.

Advisory Bulletin (ADB-10-08)

    To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous Liquid and Gas Pipeline 
Systems.
    Subject: Emergency Preparedness Communications.
    Advisory: To further enhance the Department's safety efforts, PHMSA 
is issuing this Advisory Bulletin about emergency preparedness 
communications between pipeline operators and emergency responders.
    To ensure a prompt, effective, and coordinated response to any type 
of emergency involving a pipeline facility, pipeline operators are 
required to maintain an informed relationship with emergency responders 
in their jurisdiction.
    PHMSA reminds pipeline operators of these requirements, and in 
particular, the need to share the operator's emergency response plans 
with emergency responders. PHMSA recommends that operators provide such 
information to responders through the operator's liaison and public 
awareness activities, including during joint emergency response drills. 
PHMSA intends to evaluate the extent to which operators have provided 
local emergency responders with their emergency plans when PHMSA 
performs future inspections for compliance with relevant requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2010.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2010-27774 Filed 11-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P