[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105684-105687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30990]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No: PHMSA-2024-0137]
Pipeline Safety: Information Collection Activities
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces that the eight information collection requests
abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. A Federal Register notice with a
60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information
collections was published on October 10, 2024.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
January 27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: The public is invited to submit comments regarding these
information collection requests, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to Office of Management and
[[Page 105685]]
Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of the Secretary
of Transportation, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. Comments
can also be submitted electronically at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Hill by telephone at 202-680-
2034 or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations section 1320.8(d), requires
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to
provide interested members of the public and affected agencies the
opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping
requests before they are submitted to OMB for approval. In accordance
with this regulation, on October 10, 2024, PHMSA published a Federal
Register notice (89 FR 82294) with a 60-day comment period soliciting
comments on its intent to request OMB's renewed approval of several
information collection requests that are due to expire in 2025.
During the 60-day comment period, PHMSA received one comment from
an anonymous source on a matter not pertaining to the proposed renewal
of the impacted information collections.
II. Summary of Impacted Collections
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. PHMSA will request a three-year term of approval for each of
the following information collection activities.
The following information is provided for each 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 requests comments on the following:
1. Title: OPID Assignment Request and Registry Notifications.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0627.
Current Expiration Date: 3/31/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
collection.
Abstract: The National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators
serves as the storehouse for the reporting requirements for an operator
regulated or subject to reporting requirements under 49 CFR parts 192,
193, or 195. This mandatory information collection would require
jurisdictional pipeline operators to submit the required data to
register with the National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators and
notify PHMSA when they experience significant asset changes, including
new construction, that affect PHMSA's ability to accurately monitor and
assess pipeline safety performance. Certain types of changes to, or
within, an operator's facilities or pipeline network represent
potential safety-altering activities for which PHMSA may need to
inspect, investigate, or otherwise oversee to ensure that any public
safety concerns are adequately and proactively addressed. The forms for
assigning and maintaining Operator Identification (OPID) information
are the Operator Assignment Request Form (PHMSA F 1000.1) and Operator
Registry Notification Form (PHMSA F 1000.2). The purpose of this
information collection is to maintain an accurate assessment of the
nation's pipeline infrastructure and to be kept abreast of conditions
that could potentially compromise the safety and economic viability of
the U.S. pipeline system. Due to the provisions contained within the
Safety of Gas Gathering Pipelines: Extension of Reporting Requirements,
Regulation of Large, High-Pressure Lines, and Other Related Amendments
final rule, gas gathering pipeline operators must now request OPIDs due
to the repeal of the reporting exception for gathering pipelines other
than regulated gathering lines as determined in Sec. 192.8. PHMSA
plans to adjust the burden for this information collection to account
for this addition to the reporting community.
Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid
pipeline systems and operators of liquefied natural gas facilities.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 744.
Estimated annual burden hours: 744.
Frequency of collection: On occasion
2. Title: Qualification of Pipeline Safety Training.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0600.
Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: 49 CFR part 192 subpart N and part 195 subpart G require
all individuals who operate and maintain pipeline facilities to be
qualified and keep records of qualification. The purpose of this
mandatory information collection request is to ensure compliance with
the record keeping requirements prescribed in the federal pipeline
safety regulations. Pipeline operators must make and maintain the
records as described and have those records available for compliance
inspection by PHMSA staff upon request. Examples of such records
include the identification of qualified individuals; identification of
covered tasks; dates of current qualification; and qualification
methods. Records supporting an individual's current qualification shall
be maintained while the individual is performing the covered task.
Records of prior qualification and records of individuals no longer
performing covered tasks shall be retained for a period of five years.
Affected Public: Operators of PHMSA-regulated pipelines.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Total Annual Responses: 29,172.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,293.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
3. Title: Hazardous Liquid Integrity Management.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0605.
Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: Operators of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines are required to
document the continual assessment and evaluation of their pipelines'
integrity through inspection or testing, as well as remedial
preventive, and mitigative actions. In cases where a determination
about pipeline threats has not been obtained within 180 days following
the date of inspection, pipeline operators must notify PHMSA in writing
and provide an expected date when adequate information will become
available. Operators must also notify PHMSA if they are unable to
assess their pipeline via an in-line inspection. Operators who choose
to use an alternate assessment method must demonstrate that their
pipeline is not capable of accommodating an in-line inspection tool and
that the use of an alternative assessment method will provide a
substantially equivalent understanding of the condition of the
pipeline. This mandatory record keeping requirement supports the U.S.
Department of Transportation's ``SAFETY STRATEGIC GOAL'' which targets
three main strategic initiatives: managing risk and integrity, sharing
responsibility, and providing effective stewardship. This goal enhances
public health and safety by working toward the elimination of
transportation-related deaths and injuries. This information is used by
PHMSA to determine
[[Page 105686]]
compliance with federal pipeline safety regulations and is also used by
Agency and State Officials to assist federal and state pipeline safety
inspectors who audit this information when they conduct compliance
inspections and to provide background for failure investigations.
Affected Public: Operators of hazardous liquid pipeline systems.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 10,515.
Estimated annual burden hours: 344,807.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
4. Title: Public Awareness Program.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0622.
Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: This information collection request would require
pipeline operators to develop and implement public awareness programs.
The public awareness programs should establish communications and
provide information necessary to enhance public understanding of how
pipelines function and the public's role in promoting pipeline safety.
This mandatory information collection requires operators to submit
their completed programs to PHMSA or, in the case of an intrastate
pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency. The
operator's program documentation and evaluation results must also be
available for periodic review by appropriate regulatory agencies. This
information will be used by PHMSA to evaluate compliance with pipeline
safety regulations. The purpose of the collection is to prevent the
risks caused by unintentional pipeline releases and their impact on the
public and the environment.
Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid
pipelines.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 45,004.
Estimated annual burden hours: 517,546.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
5. Title: Gas and Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0584.
Current Expiration Date: 05/31/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: Section 60105 of 49 U.S.C. sets forth specific
requirements a state must meet to qualify for certification status to
assume regulatory and enforcement responsibility for intrastate
pipelines, i.e., state adoption of minimum federal safety standards,
state inspection of pipeline operators to determine compliance with the
standards, and state provision for enforcement sanctions substantially
the same as those authorized by chapter 601, 49 U.S.C. A state must
submit an annual certification to assume responsibility for regulating
intrastate pipelines, and states who receive Federal grant funding must
have adequate damage prevention plans and associated records in place.
PHMSA uses this information to evaluate a state's eligibility for
Federal grants and to enforce regulatory compliance. This information
collection request requires a participating state to annually submit a
Gas Pipeline Safety Program Certification and/or a Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Program Certification to PHMSA's Office of Pipeline
Safety (OPS) signifying compliance with the terms of the certification
and to maintain records detailing a damage prevention plan for PHMSA
inspectors whenever requested. The purpose of the collection is to
exercise oversight of the grant program and to ensure that states are
compliant with federal pipeline safety regulations.
Affected Public: Operators of pipeline facilities.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 117.
Estimated annual burden hours: 4,473.
Frequency of collection: On occasion
6. Title: Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0589.
Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 194 requires an operator of an onshore
oil pipeline facility to prepare and submit an oil spill response plan
to PHMSA for review and approval. This mandatory recordkeeping
requirement details operators' plans to prepare for emergency
situations involving oil spills. This mandatory information collection
is used by PHMSA to determine if an operator is compliant with the
requirements in part 194. Plans are submitted and/or updated annually.
This information collection covers operators' submission of facility
response plans for onshore hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
Affected Public: Operators of onshore oil pipeline facilities.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 540.
Estimated annual burden hours: 73,980.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
7. Title: Gas Transmission Integrity Management in High Consequence
Areas.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0610.
Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: This mandatory information collection request pertains to
gas transmission operators jurisdictional to 49 CFR part 192 subpart O
Gas Transmission Integrity Management Program. The information
collection requires gas transmission operators in high consequence
areas to maintain a written integrity management program and keep
records that demonstrate compliance with 49 CFR part 192 subpart O.
Operators must maintain their integrity management records for the life
of the pipeline, and PHMSA or State regulators may review it as a part
of inspections. Gas transmission operators are also required to report
to PHMSA certain actions related to their integrity management program.
This information collection supports the DOT strategic goal of safety
by reducing the number of incidents in natural gas transmission
pipelines.
Affected Public: Operators of gas transmission pipeline systems.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 733.
Estimated annual burden hours: 1,018,807.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
8. Title: Control Room Management/Human Factors.
OMB Control Number: 2137-0624.
Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: Operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines must
develop, implement, and submit human factors management plans designed
to reduce risk associated with human factors in each control room. This
mandatory record keeping requirement supports the U.S. Department of
Transportation's ``SAFETY STRATEGIC GOAL'' which targets three main
strategic initiatives: managing risk and integrity, sharing
responsibility, and providing effective stewardship. This goal enhances
public health and safety by working toward the elimination of
transportation-related deaths and injuries. The information is used by
PHMSA to determine compliance with federal pipeline safety regulations
and is
[[Page 105687]]
also used by Agency and State Officials to assist federal and state
pipeline safety inspectors who audit this information when they conduct
compliance inspections and to provide background for failure
investigations.
Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid
pipeline systems.
Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
Estimated number of responses: 11,656.
Estimated annual burden hours: 127,328.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Comments are invited on:
(a) The need for this information collections 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 20, 2024, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
John A. Gale,
Director, Standards and Rulemaking Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-30990 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P