[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 243 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82028-82031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27712]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Docket No. PHMSA-2019-0172]


Pipeline Safety: Information Collection Activities

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA 
invites comments on proposed revisions to Form PHMSA F 7100.2-1, 
``Annual Report for Natural and Other Gas Transmission and Gathering 
Pipeline Systems,'' and Form PHMSA F 7100.4-1, ``Underground Natural 
Gas Storage Facility Annual Report,'' both under Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) Control No. 2137-0522; and Form PHMSA F 7100.2, 
``Incident Report--Gas Transmission and Gathering Systems,'' under OMB 
Control No. 2137-0635.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 16, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments 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.
    Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA-2019-0172 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.). Therefore, you may want to review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477) or visit http://www.regulations.gov 
before submitting any such comments.
    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-
2019-0172.'' 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.
    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-4 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 
public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this notice contain 
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as 
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or 
responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate 
the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask 
PHMSA to give confidential treatment to information you give to the 
Agency by taking the following steps: (1) Mark each page of the 
original document submission containing CBI as

[[Page 82029]]

``Confidential''; (2) send PHMSA, along with the original document, a 
second copy of the original document with the CBI deleted; and (3) 
explain why the information you are submitting is CBI. Unless you are 
notified otherwise, PHMSA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this notice. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Angela Hill, DOT, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, PHP-30, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this matter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Hill by telephone at 202-366-
1246, by email at [email protected], or by mail at DOT, PHMSA, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, PHP-30, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 1320.8(d), Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, requires 
PHMSA to provide interested members of the public and affected entities 
an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping 
requests. This notice identifies the proposed changes to information 
collections under OMB Control Numbers 2137-0522 and 2137-0635 that 
PHMSA will submit to OMB for approval.

A. PHMSA F 7100.2-1 Annual Report for Natural and Other Gas 
Transmission and Gathering Pipeline Systems

    PHMSA proposes to add a section to this Annual Report form to 
collect data about the number of miles of gas transmission pipelines in 
high consequence areas (HCA) categorized by the HCA determination 
method found at 49 CFR 192.903 and the type of risk model used. This 
proposal is in response to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 
Recommendation P-15-15.
    PHMSA proposes to add Part G1 to the Annual Report form to collect 
data on the number of relief valve lifts and compressor station 
emergency shutdown (ESD) events that occurred within a calendar year. 
PHMSA is adding the number of relief valve lifts and ESD events to the 
Annual Report because each represents a deviation from normal 
operations and may indicate the need for changes to equipment or 
processes. PHMSA also proposes amending the gas transmission and 
gathering incident report to exclude reporting of relief valve lifts 
and ESD events when the systems function as expected, which is a change 
in PHMSA's interpretation of ``intentional'' releases.
    In January 2020, OMB approved changes to the Gas Transmission 
Annual Report form in conjunction with new regulations promulgated in a 
final rule titled ``Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines, MAOP 
Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements and Other Related 
Amendments'' (84 FR 52180). During the OMB review period of the final 
rule, the American Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute, 
the American Public Gas Association, and the Interstate Natural Gas 
Association of America, (the Associations) submitted joint comments on 
the proposed changes to the form. PHMSA's responses to the 
Associations' comments are as follows:
    Comment: The Associations commented that collecting data on 
pipeline segments with a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of 
less than 30% of specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) offers little 
value and that PHMSA should specify, in the annual report instructions, 
that moderate consequence areas (MCA)-related reporting requirements 
(mileage, inspections, etc.) should only apply to pipelines with a MAOP 
that produces a hoop stress that is greater than or equal to 30% of 
SMYS.
    Response: PHMSA is retaining this data collection element. PHMSA 
requires data on pipeline segments with a MAOP that is less than 30% 
SMYS to evaluate integrity issues in the pipeline operations. The data 
is also used to evaluate whether new safety requirements should be 
incorporated in the regulations.
    Comment: Currently, Sections J through L of Part G of the Annual 
Report form require operators to submit data on both the baseline 
integrity assessment and the reassessment mileage for pipelines in 
class 1 or class 2 locations that are non-HCA or non-MCA. The 
Associations commented that it would be more appropriate for operators 
to report the total mileage of class 1 and class 2 non-HCA/non-MCA pipe 
segments assessed during the calendar year, rather than breaking down 
this mileage into ``baseline'' and ``reassessment.''
    Response: PHMSA agrees that there is little value in having 
operators indicate whether they used the first or a subsequent 
assessment to provide the required data. PHMSA proposes to replace the 
current ``baseline assessment'' and ``reassessed'' categories with a 
single ``miles assessed'' data field.
    Comment: Part Q of the form requires operators to identify whether 
class 1 and 2 location segments that are non-HCA or non-MCA have 
complete MAOP records. The Associations commented that collecting and 
evaluating MAOP records for completeness for segments that are outside 
the scope of Sec.  192.624 adds a significant new regulatory 
requirement that was not proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) for the new regulations or discussed by the Technical Pipeline 
Safety Standards Committee, also referred to as the Gas Pipeline 
Advisory Committee. The Associations request that PHMSA exclude the 
requirement for reporting the completeness of MAOP records for class 1 
and 2 segments that are non-HCA or non-MCA.
    Response: PHMSA proposed this data collection requirement in 
conjunction with the NPRM and provided an opportunity for public 
comment. Having received no comments on the requirement during that 
time, PHMSA forwarded the collection requirement to OMB for review and 
subsequently obtained OMB's approval in conjunction with the final 
rule. Therefore, the data collection requirement is considered to be 
within scope of both the NPRM and the final rule. However, given the 
costs and burden associated with implementing the Gas Transmission rule 
requirements, PHMSA has decided to postpone implementation of this data 
collection requirement. PHMSA proposes to revise the Gas Transmission 
Annual Report form to repeal the requirement for class 1 and class 2 
segments that are non-HCA or non-MCA to report whether their MAOP 
records are complete. PHMSA reserves the right to pursue this data 
collection at a later time, as it is determined to be part of the final 
rule, and maintains that having complete MAOP records is critical for 
pipeline safety.
    Comment: Currently, operators are required to provide data for 
pressure test mileage within pressure test ranges: [>=1.5], [1.5 to 
>=1.39], [1.39 to >=1.25], [1.25 to >=1.1], [1.1 to 1], and [no test]. 
The Associations commented that all tests performed below 1.1 times the 
MAOP would be considered invalid pressure tests under PHMSA's 
regulations. The Associations commented that they recommend PHMSA align 
the pressure test ranges in Part F with the pressure test factors 
specified in 49 CFR 192.619: [>=1.5], [<1.5 to >=1.25], [<1.25 to 
>=1.1], and [Less than 1.1 or no test].
    Response: PHMSA agrees with the Associations. The lowest allowable 
pressure test, in accordance with 49

[[Page 82030]]

CFR 192.619(a)(2), is 1.1. PHMSA proposes revising the form to combine 
the ``1.1 to 1'' and ``no test'' categories into a single category.
    Comment: The Associations commented that they recommend the removal 
of sections 3.1-3.3 from the Annual Report requirements. When a 
pressure test is used as an integrity assessment method, the specific 
pressure test factor is generally less relevant. The Associations 
suggest collecting mileage by individual test factor only in Part R of 
the form.
    Response: PHMSA agrees with this comment and proposes to revise the 
Annual Report form to align with this change.
    Comment: The Associations commented that they recommend the revised 
Annual Report form go into effect for the 2021 reporting year (due in 
March 2022), after operators have been required to identify those 
pipeline segments that are subject to the requirements of the final 
rule ``Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines, MAOP Reconfirmation, 
Expansion of Assessment Requirements and Other Related Amendments.''
    Response: PHMSA agrees with the timeframe and has already made the 
requested adjustments to the implementation schedule.

B. PHMSA F 7100.2 Incident Report for Gas Transmission and Gathering 
Systems

    PHMSA proposes to revise the instructions to form PHMSA F 7100.2 to 
remove the requirement for operators to report relief valve lifts and 
compressor station ESD events when the systems function as expected. 
PHMSA understands that the intentional use of pressure relief systems 
does not necessarily constitute an incident and has revised the 
incident report instructions to reflect this. Under this revision, 
instead of reporting these occurrences as incidents, operators would 
submit data on intentional gas releases on the Gas Transmission and 
Gathering Annual Report form PHMSA F 7100.2-1.
    During a previous update of form PHMSA F 7100.2, PHMSA 
inadvertently removed instructions regarding when questions G6 through 
G8 were required to be completed. Previously, the form was clear that 
these questions are only required to be completed when part A14 
(``onshore pipeline . . .'' or ``offshore pipeline . . .'') is 
answered. PHMSA proposes to return these instruction details prior to 
question G6 on both the form and in the instructions.

C. PHMSA F 7100.4-1 Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Annual 
Report

    PHMSA proposes to clarify several instructions and to modify the 
reporting of well counts on PHMSA F 7100.4-1. The proposed 
clarifications and modifications are detailed below:
1. Part B1. Facility Name
    PHMSA proposes to instruct operators to use the facility name 
registered with federal or state government agencies. This change would 
provide a more consistent facility name for stakeholders.
2. Part B3. Facility Location
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions for a facility located 
in multiple counties and for providing details about the format of the 
latitude and longitude coordinates of such facilities.
3. Part B4. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Gas Field Code
    PHMSA proposes to correct the website link to EIA gas field codes.
4. Part B5. Working Gas Capacity
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions by specifying the design 
working gas capacity, rather than the current working gas capacity.
5. Part B6. Base Gas
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions for reporting the volume 
of base gas by specifying that native gas is included in base gas. This 
clarification is to promote consistency in how this data is reported.
6. Part B8. and B9. Volumes for Calendar Year
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions for entering the value 
of the volume of natural gas withdrawn from or injected into the 
facility to specify that the volume must be measured with a meter. This 
clarification is to promote accuracy in this reported data.
7. Part C1. Reservoir Name
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions to collect the salt dome 
name rather than individual cavern name(s). This clarification is to 
promote accuracy in the reported data.
8. Part C4. Maximum Wellhead Surface Pressure
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions by replacing the term 
``indicator'' with ``representative'' when referring to the specific 
well. Feedback from industry indicates that representative well is a 
more widely recognized term than indicator well.
9. Part C5. and C6. Reservoir Depths
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the instructions by replacing the term 
``grade'' with ``ground level'' and replacing the term ``geologic 
storage formation'' with ``cavern(s).'' This clarification will 
eliminate confusion for cavern operators and provide consistency in the 
reported data.
10. Part C7. and C8. Number of Wells
    PHMSA proposes to revise the form and instructions to collect the 
number of wells placed into storage operation in 5-year ranges. The 
change is proposed for both injection/withdraw and monitoring wells. 
The date a well was placed into storage operation can be indicative of 
its integrity.
11. Part C10. Wells Plugged and Abandoned
    Currently, wells plugged and abandoned are reported as a single 
number. Since some wells may be plugged, but not abandoned, PHMSA 
proposes to collect counts separately. This change would provide better 
clarity on the status of wells.
12. Part C11. and C12. Well Safety Valves
    PHMSA proposes to clarify the form and instructions to reflect that 
only automated safety valves are to be reported. This clarification 
will promote accuracy in reporting. Reporting is not needed for manual 
safety valves.
13. Part C21. Through C23. Well Tests
    PHMSA proposes to modify the form and instructions to use testing 
terminology more familiar to the pipeline industry.

II. Summary of Impacted Collection

    Section 1320.8(d), Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, requires 
PHMSA to provide interested members of the public and affected agencies 
an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping 
requests. This notice identifies an information collection request that 
PHMSA will submit to OMB for revision.
    The following information is provided for this information 
collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control 
number; (3) Current expiration date; (4) Type of request; (5) Abstract 
of the information collection activity; (6) Description of affected 
public; (7) Estimate of total annual reporting and recordkeeping 
burden; and (8) Frequency of collection.
    PHMSA will request a 3-year term of approval for this information 
collection

[[Page 82031]]

activity. PHMSA requests comments on the following information:

    1. Title: Annual and Incident Reports for Gas Pipeline Operators.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0522.
    Current Expiration Date: 1/31/2023.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Abstract: This mandatory information collection covers the 
collection of data from operators of natural gas pipelines, underground 
natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities 
for annual reports. 49 CFR 191.17 requires operators of underground 
natural gas storage facilities, gas transmission systems and gas 
gathering systems to submit an annual report by March 15, for the 
preceding calendar year. This revision includes changes to the form and 
instructions for PHMSA F 7100.4-1, ``Underground Natural Gas Storage 
Facility Annual Report,'' and revisions to the form and instructions 
for PHMSA F 7100.2-1, ``Gas Transmission and Gathering Systems Annual 
Report.'' The revisions to the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility 
Annual Report form are to provide clarity on submitting data and 
include no new data elements. The revisions to the Gas Transmission and 
Gathering Systems Annual Report form include collecting the number of 
miles in high consequence areas in accordance with 49 CFR 192.903 and 
the type of risk model used; collecting data on the number of relief 
valve lifts and compressor station ESD events that occurred within a 
calendar year; and to reorganize some data fields to streamline the 
reporting of certain data elements.
    Affected Public: Operators of Natural Gas Pipelines, Underground 
Natural Gas Storage Facilities, and Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Annual Responses: 10,547.
    Annual Burden Hours: 80,101.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually and on occasion.

    2. Title: Incident Reporting for Natural Gas Pipeline Operators and 
LNG Facilities.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0635.
    Current Expiration Date: 1/31/2023.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Abstract: PHMSA proposes to revise the instructions for the 
Incident Report--Natural and Other Gas Transmission and Gathering 
Pipeline System (PHMSA F 7100.2) to remove the requirement for 
operators to submit data regarding intentional gas releases via the 
incident report.
    Affected Public: Natural Gas Pipeline Operators and Operators of 
LNG Facilities.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated Number of Responses: 301.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 3,612.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) The need for the renewal and revision of these collections of 
information for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques.
    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 10, 2020, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2020-27712 Filed 12-16-20; 8:45 am]
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