2010-27238. Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Federal Pipeline Safety Laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice of a special permit request we have received from Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP, a natural gas pipeline operator, seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations. This notice seeks public comments on this request, including comments on any safety or environmental impacts. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the request and determine whether to grant or deny a special permit.

DATES:

Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by November 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should reference the docket number for this 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: [phone].
• 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: 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 a.m. and 5 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: Dana Register by telephone at 202-366-0490; or, e-mail at [e-mail].

Technical: Ken Lee by telephone at 202-366-2694; or, e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

PHMSA has received this request for a special permit from Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (GSPC) seeking relief from compliance with certain pipeline safety regulations. GSPC's request includes a technical analysis. This request can be found at http://www.Regulations.gov, under docket number PHMSA-2010-0124. We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing this special permit request at http://www.Regulations.gov, and by submitting written comments, data or other views. Please include any comments on potential environmental impacts that may result if this special permit is granted.

Before acting on this special permit request, 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 a request.

PHMSA has received the following special permit request:

Docket No.	Requester	Regulation	Nature of special permit
PHMSA-2010-0124	Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP	49 CFR 192.611	To authorize GSPC to engage in an alternative approach to conduct risk control activities based on Integrity Management Program principles rather than lowering the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) or replacing the subject pipe segment. This application is for three segments of GSPC Line TPL-880 in Mobile County, Alabama. These segments have changed from Class 1 and 2 locations to Class 3. The pipeline is 30-inches in diameter and has a MAOP of 1,073 psig. The segments that have changed Class Locations are 2,763 feet in length. The three segments are located at Station Number 318+78 ft. to Station Number 322+14 ft., Station Number 435+63 ft. to Station Number 454+65 ft., and Station Number 455+85 ft. to Station Number 461+08 ft.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR 1.53.

Issued in Washington, DC on October 20, 2010.

Linda Daugherty,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs.