[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 64042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31742]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
Pipeline Safety User Fees
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the fiscal year 1998 user fee
assessments for pipeline facilities will be mailed to pipeline
operators on or about December 15, 1997. The fees to be assessed for
natural gas transmission, hazardous liquid and liquefied natural gas
(LNG) are indicated below:
Natural gas transmission pipelines: $67.98 per mile (based on
291,765 miles of pipeline).
Hazardous liquid pipelines: $59.59 per mile (based on 155,558 miles
of pipeline).
LNG is based on the number of plants and total storage capacity:
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Assessment/
Total storage capacity (bbl) plant
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<10,000.................................................... =$1,250="" 10,000-100,000.............................................="$2,500" 100,000-250,000............................................="$3,750" 250,000-500,000............................................="$5,000">500,000................................................... =$7,500
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Section 60301 of Title 49, United States Code, authorizes the
assessment and collection of pipeline user fees to fund the pipeline
safety activities conducted under 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq. The Research
and Special Program Administration (RSPA) assesses each operator of
regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines
(as defined in 49 CFR Part 192), and hazardous liquid pipelines
carrying petroleum, petroleum products, anhydrous ammonia and carbon
dioxide (as defined in 49 CFR Part 195) a share of the total Federal
pipeline safety program costs in proportion to the number of miles of
pipeline each operator has in service. Onshore pipelines excluded from
regulation by 49 CFR Part 195 are not included in this mileage.
Operators of LNG facilities are assessed based on total storage
capacity (as defined in 49 CFR Part 193).
In accordance with the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 60301, Departmental
resources were taken into consideration for determining total program
costs. The apportionment ratio between gas and liquid pipeline programs
(as shown below) is a result of the shift of program resources to the
hazardous liquid program because of increased emphasis on environmental
protection:
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General program General program
Year(s) costs (gas) costs (liquid)
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1986-1990................... 80%................. 20%.
1991-1992................... 75%................. 25%.
1993........................ 75% (\3/4\ yr.)..... 25% (\3/4\ yr).
60% (\1/4\ yr.)..... 40% (\1/4\ yr).
1994........................ 60%................. 40%.
1995........................ 75%................. 25%.
1996........................ 65%................. 35%.
1997-1998................... 55%................. 45%.
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In accordance with the regulations of the Department of the
Treasury, user fees will be due 30 days after the date of assessment.
Interest, penalties, and administrative charges will be assessed on
delinquent debts in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717.
Issued in Washington, D.C. November 28, 1997.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-31742 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
