[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44405-44406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18770]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0050]


Pipeline Safety: Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Risk Models

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA published a notice in the Federal Register to seek 
public comments on a report developed to support improvements in gas 
and hazardous liquid pipeline risk models titled ``Pipeline Risk 
Modeling--Overview of Methods and Tools for Improved Implementation'' 
(Pipeline Risk Modeling Report). PHMSA has received a request to extend 
the comment period to allow stakeholders more time to evaluate the 
notice. PHMSA has concurred with this request and has extended the 
comment period for an additional 30 days.

DATES: The closing date for filing comments on the notice published 
August 16, 2018, (83 FR 40843) is extended from September 17, 2018, to 
October 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0050 and may 
be submitted in the following ways:
    E-Gov Website: 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 Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation 
(DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground level of DOT, West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 44406]]

    Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA-2018-0050, at the 
beginning of your comments. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. You should know that anyone is able to 
search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our 
dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.).
    Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to Room W12-
140 on the ground level of DOT, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of 
receipt of your written comments, please include a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard with the following statement: ``Comments on PHMSA-
2018-0050.'' The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to 
returning it to you via the U.S. mail. Please note that due to delays 
in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington, DC, we 
recommend that persons consider an alternative method (internet, fax, 
or professional delivery service) of submitting comments to the docket 
and ensuring their timely receipt at DOT.
    Note: Privacy Act Statement: DOT may solicit comments from the 
public regarding certain general notices. DOT posts these comments, 
without edit, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mr. 
Steve Nanney, Project Manager, PHMSA, by telephone at 713-272-2855, or 
by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 16, 2018, (83 FR 40843) PHMSA 
published a notice to seek public comments on a report developed to 
support improvements in gas and hazardous liquid pipeline risk models. 
Based on the results of pipeline inspections and failure investigation 
findings, both PHMSA and the National Transportation Safety Board have 
identified general weaknesses in the risk models often used by pipeline 
operators in performing risk assessments for their integrity management 
programs. The Pipeline Risk Modeling Report considers the major types 
of pipeline risk models, and the effectiveness of each type in 
supporting risk assessments, as applied to pipeline operator decisions.
    In an August 15, 2018, letter to PHMSA, the American Gas 
Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Public Gas 
Association, the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, and the Interstate 
Natural Gas Association of America requested a 30-day extension of the 
comment deadline to allow them and other interested stakeholders plan 
their review of the notice.
    PHMSA has concurred with the Associations' request and has extended 
the comment period as shown in the DATES section of this notice. This 
extension will provide sufficient additional time for commenters to 
submit their comments.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 24, 2018, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Linda Daugherty,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2018-18770 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
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