97-20296. Liquefied Natural Gas RegulationsMiscellaneous Amendments  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 41311-41312]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-20296]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Research and Special Programs Administration
    
    49 CFR Part 193
    
    [Docket No. PS-151; Amdt. 193-14]
    RIN 2137-AC 88
    
    
    Liquefied Natural Gas Regulations--Miscellaneous Amendments
    
    AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Direct final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This direct final rule incorporates safety requirements for 
    mobile and temporary Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities by 
    referencing the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 
    59A (1996 edition), Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling 
    of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This rule will reduce the burden on the 
    industry and state and federal governments by eliminating waiver 
    requirements for mobile and temporary LNG facilities. In this rule RSPA 
    is responding to the adverse comment received on the mobile LNG 
    facilities requirements in the previously published direct final rule 
    [62 FR 8402; 2/25/97] by addressing a commenter's main concern that 
    states in which mobile LNG equipment is located must be notified two 
    weeks in advance. The remainder of the requirements for mobile LNG 
    facilities are unchanged.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATES: This direct final rule takes effect October 15, 1997. 
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
    rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 
    15, 1997. If RSPA does not receive any adverse comment or notice of 
    intent to file an adverse comment by September 2, 1997 the rule will 
    become effective on the date specified. RSPA will issue a subsequent 
    notice in the Federal Register by September 30, 1997 after the close of 
    the comment period to confirm that fact and reiterate the effective 
    date. If an adverse comment or notice of intent to file an adverse 
    comment is received, RSPA will issue a timely notice in the Federal 
    Register to confirm that fact and RSPA would withdraw the direct final 
    rule in whole or in part. RSPA may then incorporate the adverse comment 
    into a subsequent direct final rule or may publish a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments in duplicate to the Dockets Unit, Room 8421, 
    Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of 
    Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Identify 
    the docket and notice number stated in the heading of this notice. All 
    comments and docketed material will be available for inspection and 
    copying in Room 8421 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each business day.
    
    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) 366-4453, 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 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. In addition, that final rule incorporated safety requirements 
    for mobile and temporary LNG facilities by referencing to the National 
    Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 59A (1996 edition).
        RSPA did not receive any comments relative to the direct final rule 
    provisions for Sec. 193.2057, Thermal radiation protection, and 
    Sec. 193.2059, Flammable vapor-gas dispersion protection. Therefore, a 
    separate document [62 FR 36465; July 8, 1997] confirming that the 
    changes to Sections 193.2057 and 193.2059 in the direct final rule 
    became effective on June 25, 1997, was sent to the Federal Register.
        RSPA received two comments on the requirements for mobile and 
    temporary LNG facilities. 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 in the NFPA standard 59A. This commenter stated that the 
    waiver approval process for temporary LNG facilities was burdensome 
    because a separate waiver request to state regulators was required for 
    each facility. However, the commenter praised RSPA for issuing a direct 
    final rule which would no longer require a waiver from Part 193 
    requirements for these LNG facilities if they comply with 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. This commenter noted that the specific 
    provisions of the 16 alternative requirements for mobile LNG facilities 
    that were jointly developed by New England area state representatives 
    were missing or were inadequately addressed in the NFPA standard 59A. 
    This commenter stated that RSPA should review the requirements in 
    greater detail, and ensure all 16 items were addressed before adopting 
    NFPA 59A.
        RSPA, prior to initiating this rulemaking, reviewed all 16 
    alternative requirements and, with the exception of one issue (namely, 
    requiring an operator to notify the State agency having jurisdiction at 
    least 2 weeks in advance), determined that all requirements are 
    adequately addressed in NFPA standard 59A. The NFPA did not include 
    this requirement in standard 59A because it is beyond the NFPA's scope. 
    RSPA did not include it in the previous direct final rule. However, 
    RSPA is adding that requirement in this direct final rule.
        As described in the direct final rule (February 25, 1997; 62 FR 
    8402), RSPA is amending 49 CFR Part 193 by adding a section 193.2019 on 
    mobile and temporary LNG facilities. Mobile and
    
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    temporary LNG facilities have a good safety record and their use has 
    become quite common. However, Part 193 currently does not contain 
    requirements for such temporary operations and many temporary 
    operations cannot meet some of the Part 193 requirements. In those 
    cases, operations have been authorized through waivers issued by the 
    relevant states, and approved by RSPA, for mobile and temporary 
    facilities for peakshaving applications, for service maintenance during 
    gas pipeline systems repair/alteration, or for other short term 
    applications. In acting on waiver requests, RSPA reviews justification 
    for not complying with Part 193 and requires alternative safety 
    provisions to maintain public safety. There has been no adverse impact 
    on safety as a result of the waiver process and RSPA anticipates an 
    equivalent level of safety following implementation of this direct 
    final rule. The safety guidelines and the restrictions for LNG mobile 
    facilities in applicable sections of NFPA 59A (1996 edition) provide an 
    adequate level of assurance of public safety. The safety guidelines are 
    identical to those required as conditions for waiver except for the 
    requirement shown as follows:
        ``The State agency having jurisdiction over pipeline safety in the 
    State in which the portable LNG equipment is to be located must be 
    provided with a location description for the installation at least 2 
    weeks in advance, including to the extent practical, the details of 
    siting, leakage containment or control, fire fighting equipment, and 
    methods employed to restrict public access, except that in the case of 
    emergency where such notice is not possible, as much advance notice as 
    possible must be provided.''
        Because RSPA has determined that all 16 alternative requirements 
    have now been addressed and for the other reasons stated above, we do 
    not see any necessity for issuing a proposed rule. Therefore, RSPA is 
    incorporating by reference NFPA 59A for mobile and temporary LNG 
    facilities in this direct final rule. Operators will no longer need a 
    waiver from Part 193 requirements for mobile facilities if they comply 
    with the applicable sections of NFPA 59A and the requirement stated 
    above. This will reduce the burden on the industry and state and 
    federal governments without compromising safety.
    
    Rulemaking Analysis and Notices
    
    Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
    
        This rule is not considered to be a significant regulatory action 
    under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, and is not considered 
    significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; 
    February 26, 1979).
        This rule amends LNG regulations to include requirements for mobile 
    and temporary facilities. This is consistent with the President's goal 
    of regulatory reinvention and improvement of customer service to the 
    American people. There is no additional cost to comply with this rule. 
    These changes do not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation.
    
    Executive Order 12612
    
        This action has been analyzed under the criteria of Executive Order 
    12612 (52 FR 41685; October 30,1987) and does not have sufficient 
    federalism impacts to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
    Assessment.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        Based on the facts available concerning the impact of this rule, I 
    certify under section 606 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act that it 
    does not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        This rule does not modify the paperwork burden that LNG operators 
    already have. Therefore, a paperwork evaluation is unnecessary.
    
    List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 193
    
        Fire prevention, Incorporation by reference, 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:
    
    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.
    
        2. Part 193 is amended by adding Sec. 193.2019 to subpart A to read 
    as follows:
    
    Subpart A--General
    
    
    Sec. 193.2019  Mobile and temporary LNG facilities
    
        (a) Mobile and temporary LNG facilities for peakshaving 
    application, for service maintenance during gas pipeline systems 
    repair/alteration, or for other short term applications need not meet 
    the requirements of this part if the facilities are in compliance with 
    applicable sections of NFPA 59A (1996 edition).
        (b) The State agency having jurisdiction over pipeline safety in 
    the State in which the portable LNG equipment is to be located must be 
    provided with a location description for the installation at least 2 
    weeks in advance, including to the extent practical, the details of 
    siting, leakage containment or control, fire fighting equipment, and 
    methods employed to restrict public access, except that in the case of 
    emergency where such notice is not possible, as much advance notice as 
    possible must be provided.
    
        Issued in Washington, D. C. on July 28, 1997.
    Kelley S. Coyner
    Acting Administrator
    [FR Doc. 97-20296 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-60-U