[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9075-9078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03659]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket Nos. PHMSA-2016-0004 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. 
(TGP); PHMSA-2016-0006 Southern Natural Gas Company, L.L.C. (SNG); 
PHMSA-2016-0007 El Paso Natural Gas Company, L.L.C. (EPNG); PHMSA-2016-
0008 Colorado Interstate Gas Company, L.L.C. (CIG); PHMSA-2016-0009 
NEXUS Gas Transmission, L.L.C. (NEXUS)]


Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is 
publishing this notice of special permit requests we have received from 
several natural gas pipeline operators, seeking relief from compliance 
with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. 
This notice seeks public comments on these requests, including comments 
on any safety or environmental impacts. At the conclusion of the 30-day 
comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the requests and determine whether 
to grant or deny a special permit.

DATES: Submit any comments regarding these special permit requests by 
March 24, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket numbers for the 
specific special permit request 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: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Management System: U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special 
permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. 
If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To 
receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please 
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: 
    General: Kay McIver by telephone at (202) 366-0113; or, email at 
[email protected].
    Technical: Steve Nanney by telephone at (713) 272-2855; or, email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA has received requests for special 
permits from pipeline operators who seek relief from compliance with 
certain pipeline safety regulations. Each request includes a technical 
analysis and a Draft Environment Assessment (EA) provided by the 
respective operator. Each request is filed in the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) and has been assigned a separate docket number 
in the FDMS. We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing 
these special permit requests, their supporting EA, and any proposed 
special permit conditions to maintain pipeline integrity and safety, at 
http://www.Regulations.gov; and by submitting written comments, data or 
other views. Please include any comments on potential safety or 
environmental impacts that may result if these special permits are 
granted.
    Before acting on these special permit requests, PHMSA will evaluate 
all comments received on or before the comments closing date. Comments 
will be evaluated after this date if it is possible to do so without 
incurring additional expense or delay. PHMSA will consider each 
relevant comment we receive in making our decision to grant or deny the 
request.
    PHMSA has received the following special permit request(s):

[[Page 9076]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Docket No.                     Requester             Regulation(s)        Nature of special permit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHMSA-2016-0004....................  Tennessee Gas Pipeline  49 CFR 192.611(a) and   To authorize TGP Company
                                      Company, L.L.C. (TGP).  (d), 192.619(a) and     relief from certain
                                                              192.5.                  Federal regulations found
                                                                                      in 49 CFR 192.611(a) and
                                                                                      (d), 192.619(a) and 192.5,
                                                                                      for pipeline segments
                                                                                      where the class location
                                                                                      of the segments had been
                                                                                      changed in accordance with
                                                                                      Sec.   192.5(c) ``cluster
                                                                                      rule''.
                                                                                     TGP found that their
                                                                                      procedure methodology for
                                                                                      the determination of class
                                                                                      location boundaries using
                                                                                      the clustering and sliding
                                                                                      mile criteria in 49 CFR
                                                                                      192.5(c) was incorrect and
                                                                                      has updated operating
                                                                                      procedures for usage of
                                                                                      this cluster rule, and the
                                                                                      sliding mile for
                                                                                      confirmation of maximum
                                                                                      allowable operating
                                                                                      pressure (MAOP). The
                                                                                      change in clustering
                                                                                      methodology resulted in a
                                                                                      number of new class
                                                                                      location units, and more
                                                                                      specifically Class 3
                                                                                      locations, for which
                                                                                      pressure testing or pipe
                                                                                      replacements are now
                                                                                      required.
                                                                                     TGP proposes to replace all
                                                                                      pipeline segments that are
                                                                                      in areas with over 10
                                                                                      dwellings for human
                                                                                      occupancy within 5 years,
                                                                                      and to implement enhanced
                                                                                      integrity management (IM)
                                                                                      activities over all
                                                                                      described pipeline
                                                                                      segments. These proposed
                                                                                      IM activities can be
                                                                                      reviewed on docket # PHMSA-
                                                                                      2016-0004 at http://www.Regulations.gov.
                                                                                     This change impacts 48.02
                                                                                      miles of TGP mainline
                                                                                      pipelines. The special
                                                                                      permit request covers
                                                                                      multiple TGP interstate
                                                                                      pipeline segments located
                                                                                      in the states of Kentucky,
                                                                                      Louisiana, Mississippi,
                                                                                      New Jersey, New York,
                                                                                      Ohio, Pennsylvania,
                                                                                      Tennessee, Texas and West
                                                                                      Virginia.
PHMSA-2016-0006....................  Southern Natural Gas,   49 CFR 192.611(a) and   To authorize SNG Company
                                      Company, L.L.C. (SNG).  (d), 192.619(a) and     relief from certain
                                                              192.5.                  Federal regulations found
                                                                                      in 49 CFR 192.611(a) and
                                                                                      (d), 192.619(a) and 192.5,
                                                                                      for pipeline segments
                                                                                      where the class location
                                                                                      of the segments had been
                                                                                      changed in accordance with
                                                                                      Sec.   192.5(c) ``cluster
                                                                                      rule''.
                                                                                     SNG found that their
                                                                                      procedure methodology for
                                                                                      the determination of class
                                                                                      location boundaries using
                                                                                      the clustering and sliding
                                                                                      mile criteria in 49 CFR
                                                                                      192.5(c) was incorrect and
                                                                                      has updated operating
                                                                                      procedures for usage of
                                                                                      this cluster rule, and the
                                                                                      sliding mile for
                                                                                      confirmation of maximum
                                                                                      allowable operating
                                                                                      pressure (MAOP). The
                                                                                      change in clustering
                                                                                      methodology resulted in a
                                                                                      number of new class
                                                                                      location units, and more
                                                                                      specifically Class 3
                                                                                      locations, for which
                                                                                      pressure testing or pipe
                                                                                      replacements are now
                                                                                      required.
                                                                                     SNG proposes to replace all
                                                                                      pipeline segments that are
                                                                                      in areas with over 10
                                                                                      dwellings for human
                                                                                      occupancy within 5 years,
                                                                                      and to implement enhanced
                                                                                      integrity management (IM)
                                                                                      activities over all
                                                                                      described pipeline
                                                                                      segments. These proposed
                                                                                      IM activities can be
                                                                                      reviewed on docket # PHMSA-
                                                                                      2016-0006 at http://www.Regulations.gov.
                                                                                     This change impacts 5.75
                                                                                      miles of SNG mainline
                                                                                      pipelines. The special
                                                                                      permit request covers
                                                                                      multiple SNG interstate
                                                                                      pipeline segments located
                                                                                      in the states of Alabama,
                                                                                      Georgia, Louisiana and
                                                                                      Mississippi.
PHMSA-2016-0007....................  El Paso Natural Gas     49 CFR 192.611(a) and   To authorize EPNG Company
                                      Company, L.L.C.         (d), 192.619(a) and     relief from certain
                                      (EPNG).                 192.5.                  Federal regulations found
                                                                                      in 49 CFR 192.611(a) and
                                                                                      (d), 192.619(a) and 192.5,
                                                                                      for pipeline segments
                                                                                      where the class location
                                                                                      of the segments had been
                                                                                      changed in accordance with
                                                                                      Sec.   192.5(c) ``cluster
                                                                                      rule''.

[[Page 9077]]

 
                                                                                     EPNG found that their
                                                                                      procedure methodology for
                                                                                      the determination of class
                                                                                      location boundaries using
                                                                                      the clustering and sliding
                                                                                      mile criteria in 49 CFR
                                                                                      192.5(c) was incorrect and
                                                                                      has updated operating
                                                                                      procedures for usage of
                                                                                      this cluster rule, and the
                                                                                      sliding mile for
                                                                                      confirmation of maximum
                                                                                      allowable operating
                                                                                      pressure (MAOP). The
                                                                                      change in clustering
                                                                                      methodology resulted in a
                                                                                      number of new class
                                                                                      location units, and more
                                                                                      specifically Class 3
                                                                                      locations, for which
                                                                                      pressure testing or pipe
                                                                                      replacements are now
                                                                                      required.
                                                                                     EPNG proposes to replace
                                                                                      all pipeline segments that
                                                                                      are in areas with over 10
                                                                                      dwellings for human
                                                                                      occupancy within 5 years,
                                                                                      and to implement enhanced
                                                                                      integrity management (IM)
                                                                                      activities over all
                                                                                      described pipeline
                                                                                      segments. These proposed
                                                                                      IM activities can be
                                                                                      reviewed on docket # PHMSA-
                                                                                      2016-0007 at http://www.Regulations.gov.
                                                                                     This change impacts 7.25
                                                                                      miles of EPNG mainline
                                                                                      pipelines. The special
                                                                                      permit request covers
                                                                                      multiple EPNG interstate
                                                                                      pipeline segments located
                                                                                      in the states of Arizona,
                                                                                      New Mexico, and Texas.
PHMSA-2016-0008....................  Colorado Interstate     49 CFR 192.611(a) and   To authorize CIG Company
                                      Gas Company, L.L.C.     (d), 192.619(a) and     relief from certain
                                      (CIG).                  192.5.                  Federal regulations found
                                                                                      in 49 CFR 192.611(a) and
                                                                                      (d), 192.619(a) and 192.5,
                                                                                      for pipeline segments
                                                                                      where the class location
                                                                                      of the segments had been
                                                                                      changed in accordance with
                                                                                      Sec.   192.5(c) ``cluster
                                                                                      rule''.
                                                                                     CIG found that their
                                                                                      procedure methodology for
                                                                                      the determination of class
                                                                                      location boundaries using
                                                                                      the clustering and sliding
                                                                                      mile criteria in 49 CFR
                                                                                      192.5(c) was incorrect and
                                                                                      has updated operating
                                                                                      procedures for usage of
                                                                                      this cluster rule, and the
                                                                                      sliding mile for
                                                                                      confirmation of maximum
                                                                                      allowable operating
                                                                                      pressure (MAOP). The
                                                                                      change in clustering
                                                                                      methodology resulted in a
                                                                                      number of new class
                                                                                      location units, and more
                                                                                      specifically Class 3
                                                                                      locations, for which
                                                                                      pressure testing or pipe
                                                                                      replacements are now
                                                                                      required.
                                                                                     CIG proposes to replace all
                                                                                      pipeline segments that are
                                                                                      in areas with over 10
                                                                                      dwellings for human
                                                                                      occupancy within 5 years,
                                                                                      and to implement enhanced
                                                                                      integrity management (IM)
                                                                                      activities over all
                                                                                      described pipeline
                                                                                      segments. These proposed
                                                                                      IM activities can be
                                                                                      reviewed on docket # PHMSA-
                                                                                      2016-0008 at http://www.Regulations.gov.
                                                                                     This change impacts 3.47
                                                                                      miles of CIG mainline
                                                                                      pipelines. The special
                                                                                      permit request covers
                                                                                      multiple CIG interstate
                                                                                      pipeline segments located
                                                                                      in the states of Colorado
                                                                                      and Wyoming.
PHMSA-2016-0009....................  NEXUS Gas               49 CFR 192.625........  To authorize NEXUS Gas
                                      Transmission, L.L.C.                            Transmission, L.L.C., in
                                      (NEXUS).                                        the waiving of certain
                                                                                      Federal odorization
                                                                                      requirements found in 49
                                                                                      CFR 192.625, for its
                                                                                      proposed pipeline system
                                                                                      in Michigan.
                                                                                     The proposed NEXUS system
                                                                                      will consist of
                                                                                      approximately 255 miles of
                                                                                      new 36-inch pipeline, four
                                                                                      (4) new compressor
                                                                                      stations, and six (6) new
                                                                                      meter stations with a
                                                                                      design capacity of 1.5
                                                                                      billion cubic feet per day
                                                                                      (Bcf/d). The construction
                                                                                      and operation of the NEXUS
                                                                                      Pipeline will be done by
                                                                                      Spectra Energy Partners,
                                                                                      L.P. (SEP), in partnership
                                                                                      with DTE Energy Company.
                                                                                     The NEXUS pipeline route
                                                                                      primarily passes through
                                                                                      Class 1 areas for the
                                                                                      first 248 miles. However,
                                                                                      approximately 55% (~4.0)
                                                                                      miles of the last 7.3
                                                                                      miles leading up to the
                                                                                      terminus of the NEXUS
                                                                                      pipeline and the
                                                                                      interconnect with DTE Gas
                                                                                      Company, will pass through
                                                                                      Class 3 areas. As a result
                                                                                      of the Class 3 percentage,
                                                                                      49 CFR 192.625 requires
                                                                                      odorization of the
                                                                                      pipeline in the Class 3
                                                                                      areas of the last 7.3
                                                                                      miles of the NEXUS
                                                                                      pipeline.

[[Page 9078]]

 
                                                                                     NEXUS proposed to implement
                                                                                      additional design,
                                                                                      materials, construction,
                                                                                      operations and maintenance
                                                                                      requirements described in
                                                                                      Sections 4.2 through 4.5,
                                                                                      below, that would be
                                                                                      specified conditions in
                                                                                      their proposed special
                                                                                      permit. These proposed
                                                                                      conditions can be reviewed
                                                                                      on docket # PHMSA-2016-
                                                                                      0009 at http://www.Regulations.gov.
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    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR 1.97

Alan K. Mayberry,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-03659 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P