[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29497]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 192
[Docket ID PHMSA-2011-0023]
RIN 2137-AE72
Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA);
DOT.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment
period.
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SUMMARY: On August 25, 2011, (76 FR 53086) PHMSA published in the
Federal Register an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
titled: ``Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines'' seeking comments on
the need for changes to the regulations covering gas transmission
pipelines. PHMSA has received requests to extend the comment period in
order to have more time to evaluate the ANPRM. PHMSA is extending the
comment period from December 2, 2011, to January 20, 2012.
DATES: The closing date for filing comments is extended from December
2, 2011, until January 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 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 Management System: U.S. DOT, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: U.S. DOT Docket Management System; West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC
20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Instructions: You should identify the Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 at
the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail,
submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA received your
comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may
submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov.
Note: Comments are posted without changes or edits to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
There is a privacy statement published on http://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mike
Israni at (202) 366-4566 or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 25, 2011, (76 FR 53086), PHMSA
published an ANPRM seeking comments on the need for changes to the
regulations covering gas transmission pipelines. Within this ANPRM,
PHMSA is seeking public comment on 15 specific topic areas in two broad
categories (integrity management (IM) and Non-IM requirements). In
particular, PHMSA is interested in knowing whether IM requirements
should be changed, more prescriptive language added in some areas, and
non-IM requirements strengthened or expanded. Among the specific issues
PHMSA is considering concerning IM requirements is whether the
definition of a high-consequence area should be revised, and whether
additional restrictions should be placed on the use of specific
pipeline assessment methods. With respect to non-IM requirements, PHMSA
is considering whether revised requirements are needed on new
construction or existing pipelines concerning mainline valves, whether
requirements for corrosion control of steel pipelines should be
strengthened, and whether new regulations are needed to govern the
safety of gathering lines and underground gas storage facilities.
On September 9, 2011, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of
America (INGAA) and the American Gas Association (AGA) requested that
PHMSA extend the comment period of the ANPRM by 90 days. INGAA and AGA
supported their request stating that the ANPRM poses a large number of
multi-part questions that cover 15 separate topic areas. They stated
that to thoughtfully and thoroughly address the issues, significant
effort on the part of all stakeholders is required, and may include
industry-wide surveys. They stated that questions regarding cost
implications and various other impacts will entail an integrated effort
within the industry to provide a quality, validated, and vetted answer.
Also, they stated that timing supports their request because they are
currently in the initial phases of implementing the Control Room
Management regulations, and completing and verifying their 2011
projects and conducting maintenance, budget and planning activities
that will directly impact their pipeline safety compliance efforts this
year and next. In addition, they stated that PHMSA granted an extension
of time allowing parties four months to comment on the hazardous liquid
ANPRM and, therefore, a 90-day extension of the comment period is
further justified by the depth and scope of the issues addressed in the
natural gas ANPRM.
Through this ANPRM, PHMSA has raised several important and complex
public safety issues, many of which, if implemented, could impose
significant cost on the pipeline industry. PHMSA needs very thorough
responses to the questions we have posed in the ANPRM in order to
facilitate PHMSA's decision making on these very important and complex
issues. Based on the reasons given by INGAA and AGA in their request to
extend the comment period, and PHMSA's need to have the best data
possible to facilitate its decisions relative to these issues, PHMSA
believes that extension of the comment period is warranted. Therefore,
PHMSA has extended the comment period from December 2, 2011, to January
20, 2012.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3, 2011.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2011-29497 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
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