[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71713-71714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33207]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Parts 192 and 195
[Docket No. RSPA-99-6355; Notice 2]
Pipeline Safety: Enhanced Safety and Environmental Protection for
Gas Transmission and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines in High-Consequence
Areas
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice extending comment period and establishing Electronic
Public Discussion Forum.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS)
will extend to January 17, 2000, the comment period following the
public meeting on pipeline system integrity programs in high-
consequence areas. This notice also announces that OPS is establishing
an electronic public discussion forum on pipeline system integrity
management. OPS requests comments that address how to provide
additional safety and environmental protection for gas transmission
pipelines and hazardous liquid pipelines in high-consequence areas
through regulated integrity management programs.
DATES: No later than January 17, 2000, comments can be submitted over
the Internet to the OPS integrity management site at http://
ops.dot.gov/imp.htm. You may also submit written comments by mail or
delivery directly to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC
20590-0001. Comments may be submitted directly to the docket at the
following Internet Web address: http://dms.dot gov. Click on ``Help &
Information'' for instructions on how to file a document
electronically. All comments should identify the docket and notice
numbers stated in the heading of this notice. Anyone desiring
confirmation of mailed comments must include a self-addressed stamped
postcard.
ADDRESSES: The Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level, Room PL-
401, of the U.S. Department of Transportation building, 400 7th St.,
SW, Washington, DC. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni (tel: 202-366-4571; E-
mail: mike.israni@rspa.dot.gov). You can access additional information
and participate in a discussion forum at the OPS pipeline system
integrity management Internet site at http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On November 18-19, 1999, the Office of Pipeline Safety held a
public meeting to discuss the need for additional safety and
environmental regulations for pipelines in high-consequence areas
(i.e., areas where a pipeline failure could have serious consequences
for the public or the environment). The notice announcing the meeting
was published on October 21, 1999, at 64 FR 56725. OPS wanted
information on pipeline operators' system integrity management programs
so that it could incorporate a process into the regulations for
validating pipeline system integrity in high-consequences areas. OPS is
committed to enhancing protection in these areas for several reasons.
OPS and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations and
analyses of major pipeline incidents have underscored the importance of
protecting areas of high population density and environmentally
sensitive areas. Congressional mandates have directed OPS to undertake
various activities in these areas, including requiring periodic
pipeline inspections in areas of high population density and in areas
unusually sensitive to environmental damage.
Recent OPS initiatives have validated the importance of focusing
pipeline resources and establishing higher levels of protection in
areas where a pipeline accident could have serious consequences. OPS
has seen a wide array of existing operator safety programs that
identify, assess, and address all significant risks to the pipeline in
an integrated manner. These operator-developed programs closely examine
in-line inspection survey data, together with other surveillance and
operating data, (e.g., expected population growth, land use,
construction activity along the pipeline) and other information
relevant to ensuring the integrity of the pipeline in high population
areas and in environmentally sensitive areas.
Need for Extending Comment Period and Opening Electronic Discussion
Forum
The November public meeting gathered information from government,
industry, and public participants on integrity management programs and
how to deal with integrity issues in high-consequence areas. The
meeting provided a wealth of information on identifying high-
consequence areas, testing and inspection technologies, and using risk
data to manage pipeline system integrity. The meeting revealed the
complexity inherent in requiring integrity management inspections and
programs in high-consequence areas. Breakout sessions addressed the
following issues:
What are the key elements and characteristics of integrity
management within companies?
--What are the characteristics of high-consequence areas?
--What are the minimum standards for integrity management programs?
--What elements should OPS review, evaluate, and inspect?
What means are used to assemble and integrate information?
--What types of information need to be integrated to ensure pipeline
system integrity?
--What are the key questions for OPS to ask during an inspection?
At the meeting, OPS announced that written comments on pipeline
system integrity management issues would be accepted through December
20, 1999. The questions raised at the public meeting and subsequent
discussions with the pipeline industry and regulators have shown that
more time is needed to prepare and file comments. Therefore, we are
extending the comment period to January 17, 2000. We are also setting
up an electronic discussion forum so that we can get a free exchange of
ideas on how to implement a pipeline system integrity management
process into the pipeline safety regulations. This forum will be open
until at least January 17, 2000. The transcript of the November 18-19,
1999, public meeting and public comments concerning issues raised at
the meeting are available in the docket, which is accessible at the
Dockets Facility or through the OPS pipeline system integrity
management Internet site.
[[Page 71714]]
After the public meeting, OPS began discussing a conceptual model
for ensuring extra protection in high-consequence areas. This model,
along with additional information on the public meeting and on pipeline
system integrity management issues for high-consequence areas, is
posted on OPS's pipeline system integrity management Internet site at
http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm. Information on this site includes:
General Summary of the November 18, 1999 public meeting
Discussion page for facilitating communication
Federal Register Notice on the November 18, 1999 public
meeting
Meeting Agenda and selected presentations/summaries by
various speakers.
Meeting transcripts for November 18, 1999 public meeting
Summary of the Breakout sessions
Conceptual pipeline system integrity management model for
high-consequence areas
Link to the DMS page for submissions to the electronic
docket
Contact (e-mail) information for Mike Israni and Beth
Callsen
RSPA encourages all interested persons to access the pipeline
system integrity management conceptual model and other background
information at http://ops.dot.gov/imp.htm.
In particular, OPS wants comment on how to improve protection for
the public and the environment for pipelines located in high-
consequence areas through a more integrated approach to identifying and
addressing risks. Interested persons are urged to present their views
on whether and what additional inspection requirements or other
preventive and mitigative actions are needed to ensure adequate
protection of high-consequence areas. Comments are sought from pipeline
companies on the extent of their inspection and testing programs, the
types of inspection tools employed, and experience with intervals
between inspections and testing. OPS is also interested in comments on
the expected cumulative costs and benefits associated with implementing
a pipeline system integrity management process, on whether any of these
measures would have a disproportionate impact on small operators, and
any concerns on the information collection, recordkeeping, or reporting
requirements of this initiative under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 USC 3057(d)).
Authority: 49 U.S.C. Chapter 601 and 49 CFR 1.53.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 17, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-33207 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
