[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36465-36466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17171]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Part 193
[Docket No. PS-151; Notice 1]
RIN 2137-AC91
Liquefied Natural Gas Regulations; Miscellaneous Amendments
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Confirmation of effective date; and partial removal of direct
final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document confirms the effective date of the amendments of
the direct final rule which updated the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
regulations by replacing the current ``Flammable vapor-gas dispersion
protection'' method with a method based on the ``dense gas dispersion
(DEGADIS)'' model, and replacing the current ``Thermal radiation
protection'' method with a method based on the ``LNGFIRE'' program
model. This document removes the section of the direct final rule that
incorporated safety requirements for mobile and temporary LNG
facilities by referencing National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Standard 59A (1996 edition), Standard for the Production, Storage and
Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
EFFECTIVE DATES: This document confirms June 25, 1997, as the effective
date of the amendments to Sec. 193.2057, Sec. 193.2059 and Appendix A
to Part 193 published on February 25, 1997, at 62 FR 8402. The approval
of the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
those amendments remains June 25, 1997. This document also removes
Sec. 193.2019 effective June 25, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni, telephone: (202) 366-
4571, or e-mail: mike.israni@rspa.dot.gov, regarding the subject matter
of this document, or the Dockets Unit (202) 366-5046, for copies of
this document or other information in the docket.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On February 25, 1997, RSPA published a direct final rule (62 FR
8402) titled ``Liquefied Natural Gas Regulations--Miscellaneous
Amendments.'' In that rule, RSPA stated that if no adverse comments
were received by April 28, 1997, it would publish a confirmation notice
within 30 days, and if an adverse comment was received, RSPA would
issue a document to confirm that fact and would withdraw the direct
final rule in whole or in part. The rule also stated that RSPA might
then incorporate the adverse comment(s) into a subsequent direct final
rule or might publish a notice of proposed rulemaking.
RSPA received two comments on Section 193.2019, Mobile and
temporary LNG facilities, in the direct final rule. One comment was
from the industry and a second was from an individual employed by a
state utility commission. The industry comment, from the largest
independent natural gas distribution company in New England, applauded
RSPA's incorporation by reference of the safety requirements for mobile
and temporary LNG facilities contained in standard NFPA 59A. The
commenter from the state utility commission expressed concern over
adopting the NFPA standard 59A by reference for the mobile and
temporary LNG facilities. Details of this comment will be discussed in
a subsequent direct final rule.
RSPA did not receive any comments relative to the direct final rule
provisions for Section 193.2057, Thermal radiation protection, and
Section 193.2059, Flammable vapor-gas dispersion protection, in the
direct final rule. Therefore, this document confirms that the changes
to Sections 193.2057 and 193.2059 in the direct final rule will become
effective on June 25, 1997.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 193
Fire prevention, Pipeline safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures.
In consideration of the foregoing, RSPA amends Part 193 of title 49
of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
[[Page 36466]]
PART 193--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 193 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60103, 60104, 60108, 60109, 60111,
60112, 60118; and 49 CFR 1.53.
Sec. 193.2019 [Removed]
2. Section 193.2019 is removed.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on June 25, 1997.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-17171 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
