2014-01671. Pipeline Safety: Information Collection Activities

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on certain information collections that will be expiring in summer of 2014. PHMSA will request an extension with no change for the information collections identified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers 2137-0578, 2137-0584, and 2137-0601. In addition, PHMSA will request a revision to the information collection identified under OMB control number 2137-0618 to include the information currently collected under OMB control number 2137-0601.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 31, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Comments 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: [phone].

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-2014-0005, 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 19476) 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-2014-0005.” 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Angela Dow by telephone at 202-366-1246, by fax at 202-366-4566, or by mail at DOT, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., PHP-30, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 several information collection requests that PHMSA will submit to OMB for renewal. 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 will request a three-year term of approval for each information collection activity. PHMSA requests comments on the following information collections:

1. Title: Reporting Safety-Related Conditions on Gas, Hazardous Liquid, and Carbon Dioxide Pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities.

OMB Control Number: 2137-0578.

Current Expiration Date: 5/31/2014.

Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: Each operator of a pipeline facility (except master meter operators) must submit to DOT a written report on any safety-related condition that causes or has caused a significant change or restriction in the operation of a pipeline facility or a condition that is a hazard to life, property or the environment.

Affected Public: Operators of pipeline facilities (except master meter operators).

Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:

Estimated number of responses: 142.

Estimated annual burden hours: 852.

Frequency of collection: On occasion.

2. Title: Gas Pipeline Safety Program Certification and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification.

OMB Control Number: 2137-0584.

Current Expiration Date: 7/31/2014.

Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: A state must submit an annual certification to assume responsibility for regulating intrastate pipelines and certain records must be maintained to demonstrate that the state is ensuring satisfactory compliance with the pipeline safety regulations. PHMSA uses that information to evaluate a state's eligibility for Federal grants.

Affected Public: State and local governments.

Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:

Estimated number of responses: 67.

Estimated annual burden hours: 3,920.

Frequency of Collection: Annually.

3. Title: Pipeline Safety: Report of Abandoned Underwater Pipelines.

OMB Control Number: 2137-0601.

Current Expiration Date: 5/31/2014.

Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: Upon abandonment of a facility, pipeline operators are required to report certain information about the abandoned underwater pipelines to PHMSA (49 CFR 195.59 and 192.727). The information aids Federal and state pipeline safety inspectors in conducting compliance inspections and investigating incidents.

Affected Public: Operators of underwater pipelines.

Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:

Estimated number of responses: 10.

Estimated annual burden hours: 60.

Frequency of collection: Upon abandonment of affected facility.

4. Title: Pipeline Safety: Periodic Underwater Inspections.

OMB Control Number: 2137-0618.

Current Expiration Date: 6/30/2014.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Federal pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR Parts 190-199) require operators to conduct underwater inspections in the Gulf of Mexico. If an operator finds that its pipeline is exposed on the seabed floor or constitutes a hazard to navigation, the operator must contact the National Response Center by telephone within 24 hours of discovery to report the location of the exposed pipeline. This package is being revised to include the collection of information currently under 2137-0601 which requires operators to report certain information about abandoned underwater pipelines to PHMSA (49 CFR 192.727 and 195.59). This information aids Federal and state pipeline safety inspectors in conducting compliance inspections and investigating incidents. Once this revised information collection is approved, PHMSA will discontinue the collection identified under OMB control number 2137-0601.

Affected Public: Operators of underwater pipeline facilities.

Estimated number of responses: 92.

Estimated annual burden hours: 1,372.

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 January 23, 2014, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.

John A. Gale,

Director, Office of Standards and Rulemaking.