[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5472-5473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket ID PHMSA-2011-0009]
RIN 2137-AE71


Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas 
Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family 
Residences

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 November 25, 2011, PHMSA published in the Federal Register 
an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), titled: ``Pipeline 
Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) in Gas 
Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family 
Residences.'' The ANPRM sought public comment on several issues related 
to expanding the use of EFVs in gas distribution systems. On January 
10, 2012, PHMSA received a request to extend the comment period to 
provide additional time to respond to the ANPRM. In light of that 
request, PHMSA is extending the comment period from February 18, 2012, 
to March 19, 2012.

DATES: The closing date for filing comments is extended from February 
18, 2012, until March 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0009 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

[[Page 5473]]

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-2011-0009 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: The National Transportation Safety Board has 
made a safety recommendation (P-01-02) to PHMSA that EFVs be installed 
in all new and renewed gas service lines, regardless of a customer's 
classification, when the operating conditions are compatible with 
readily available valves. In response to that recommendation, on 
November 25, 2011, PHMSA published in the Federal Register an ANPRM 
titled: ``Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in 
Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family 
Residences'' (76 FR 72666). The ANPRM sought public comment on several 
issues related to expanding the use of EFVs in gas distribution 
systems. PHMSA also sought comment from gas distribution system 
operators on their experiences using EFVs, particularly from a cost-
benefit perspective.
    On January 10, 2012, the American Gas Association (AGA) and the 
American Public Gas Associations (APGA) asked PHMSA to extend the ANPRM 
comment period by at least 30 days. AGA and APGA stated that the depth 
and scope of the ANPRM requires that stakeholders have substantially 
more time to respond. AGA and APGA further stated that the existence of 
two other significant PHMSA rulemakings open for comment and the recent 
passage of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation 
Act of 2011 (PL112-90), have imposed additional demands on their 
resources for analysis.
    PHMSA has posed important questions in the ANPRM on the technical 
challenges and potential costs and benefits of expanding the use of EFV 
applications beyond single family residences. Expanded use of EFVs, if 
implemented, could impose significant cost on the pipeline industry. 
PHMSA needs thorough responses to the ANPRM to facilitate its 
consideration of these important and complex issues. Accordingly, PHMSA 
is granting the request filed by AGA and APGA and extending the comment 
period from February 18, 2012, to March 19, 2012.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2012.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2012-2518 Filed 2-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P