Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Sabine Pass LNG, 56584-56585 [E6-15880]

Download as PDF 56584 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 27, 2006 / Notices • Improves weld inspection personnel safety. For the reasons stated, FLNG is requesting a waiver from 49 CFR 193.2301 which requires compliance with 49 CFR part 193 and NFPA 59A. Moreover, FLNG is asking that it be allowed to use the ultrasonic examination method in the Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 620 instead of the radiographic examination method in the Eighth Edition of API 620. The NFPA 59A Technical Committee recently approved and recommended the acceptance of the 2002, Tenth Edition, Addendum 1 of API 620 with three limitations. PHMSA has only incorporated by reference the 2001 Edition of NFPA 59A, therefore a waiver is required for the 2006 Edition. PHMSA will consider FLNG’s waiver request and whether FLNG’s proposal will yield an equivalent or greater degree of safety than that currently provided by the regulations. This notice is PHMSA’s only request for public comment before making a decision. After considering any comments received, PHMSA will make a determination to grant FLNG’s waiver request as proposed or with modifications and conditions, or deny FLNG’s request. If the waiver is granted and PHMSA subsequently determines that the effect of the waiver is inconsistent with pipeline safety, PHMSA may impose additional conditions on the operator or revoke the waiver at its sole discretion. Issued in Washington, DC on September 19, 2006. Theodore L. Willke, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. E6–15877 Filed 9–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA–06–25735; Notice 1] Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Sabine Pass LNG Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of intent to consider waiver request. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (SPLNG) facility requests a waiver of compliance from the regulation that requires every Liquefied Natural Gas VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Sep 26, 2006 Jkt 208001 (LNG) facility constructed after March 31, 2000 to comply with the National Fire Protection Association’s standard 59A (NFPA 59A), 2001 Edition. DATES: Persons interested in submitting written comments on the waiver request described in this notice must do so by October 27, 2006. Late filed comments will be considered as far as practicable. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by mailing or delivering an original and two copies to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Room PL–401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. The Dockets Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays when the facility is closed. Alternatively, you may submit written comments to the docket electronically at the following Web address: https:// dms.dot.gov. All written comments should identify the docket and notice number stated in the heading of this notice. Anyone who wants confirmation of mailed comments must include a selfaddressed stamped postcard. To file written comments electronically, after logging on to https://dms.dot.gov, click on ‘‘Comment/Submissions.’’ You can also read comments and other material in the docket. General information about the Federal pipeline safety program is available at https://phmsa.dot.gov. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (70 FR 19477) or you may visit https:// dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Reynolds by telephone at 202– 366–2786, by fax at 202–366–4566, by mail at DOT, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 400 7th Street, SW., Room 2103, Washington, DC 20590, or by email at james.reynolds@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background SPLNG requests a waiver of compliance from the regulatory requirement at 49 CFR 193.2301. This regulation requires each LNG facility constructed after March 31, 2000, to comply with 49 CFR Part 193 and paragraph 4.2.1 in NFPA 59A, 2001 Edition. NFPA 59A requires that welded containers designed for not more than PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) comply with the eighth edition, 1990, of American Petroleum Institute standard 620 (API 620), Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks (Appendix Q). The Eighth Edition of API 620 requires inspection according to Appendix Q, which calls for the full radiographic examination of all vertical and horizontal butt welds associated with the container. SPLNG is proposing to use the 2002 Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 620. This Edition allows for ultrasonic examination, instead of radiography, as an acceptable alternative to examining butt welds associated with the container. SPLNG proposes to use ultrasonic examination on its project which consists of full semi-automated and manual ultrasonic examination using shear wave probes. The examination also consists of a volumetric ultrasonic examination using a combination of creep wave probes and focused angled longitudinal wave probes. SPLNG asserts that ultrasonic examination has several advantages over radiographic examination, namely it: • Produces faster examination rates with equal reliability; • Yields higher weld productivity rates and overall lower project cost; • Employs a linear scanning process and allows both sides of the weld to be examined simultaneously; • Offers results reviewable by personnel both on-site and off-site; • Utilizes inspection data which can be stored, analyzed, and shared digitally; • Eliminates hazardous materials disposal issues; and • Improves weld inspection personnel safety. For the reasons stated, SPLNG is requesting a waiver from 49 CFR 193.2301 which requires compliance with 49 CFR part 193 and NFPA 59A. Moreover, SPLNG is asking that it be allowed to use the ultrasonic examination method in the Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 620 instead of the radiographic examination method in the Eighth Edition of API 620. The NFPA 59A Technical Committee recently approved and recommended the acceptance of the 2002, Tenth Edition, Addendum 1 of API 620 with three limitations. PHMSA has only incorporated by reference the 2001 Edition of NFPA 59A, therefore a waiver is required for the 2006 Edition. PHMSA will consider SPLNG’s waiver request and whether SPLNG’s proposal will yield an equivalent or greater degree of safety than that E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 27, 2006 / Notices currently provided by the regulations. This notice is PHMSA’s only request for public comment before making a decision. After considering any comments received, PHMSA’s will make a determination to grant SPLNG’s waiver request as proposed or with modifications and conditions or deny SPLNG’s request. If the waiver is granted and PHMSA subsequently determines that the effect of the waiver is inconsistent with pipeline safety, PHMSA may impose additional conditions on the operator or revoke the waiver at its sole discretion. Issued in Washington, DC on September 19, 2006. Theodore L. Willke, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. E6–15880 Filed 9–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB–290 (Sub-No. 275X)] Norfolk Southern Railway Company— Abandonment Exemption—in Gaston County, NC rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 Subpart F— Exempt Abandonments to abandon a 2.0-mile line of railroad between milepost HG 45.0 and milepost 47.0 in Gastonia, in Gaston County, NC. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 28052, 28054, and 28056 and includes the former station of North Gastonia. NSR has certified that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) no overhead traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years and overhead traffic, if there were any, could be rerouted over other lines; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a State or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Sep 26, 2006 Jkt 208001 with the Surface Transportation Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements of 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic report), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication) and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the abandonment shall be protected under Oregon Short Line R. Co.— Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on October 27, 2006, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues,1 formal expressions of intent to file an OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2),2 and trail use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29 must be filed by October 10, 2006.3 Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions under 49 CFR 1152.28 must be filed by October 17, 2006, with the Surface 1 The Board will grant a stay if an informed decision on environmental issues (whether raised by a party or by the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) in its independent investigation) cannot be made before the exemption’s effective date. See Exemption of Outof-Service Rail Lines, 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may take appropriate action before the exemption’s effective date. 2 Each OFA must be accompanied by the filing fee, which was increased to $1,300 effective on April 19, 2006. See Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection with Licensing and Related Services—2006 Update, STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 13) (STB served Mar. 20, 2006). 3 NSR states that the City of Gastonia (the City) is interested in acquiring a 1.8-mile segment of the right-of-way between milepost HG 45.0 and milepost 46.8 for interim trail use under the National Trails System Act and for the creation of a greenway. NSR indicates that it is agreeable to conveying this segment to the City. PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 56585 Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. A copy of any petition filed with the Board should be sent to NSR’s representative: James R. Paschall, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. NSR has filed environmental and historic reports which address the effects, if any, of the abandonment on the environment and historic resources. SEA will issue an environmental assessment (EA) by October 2, 2006. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the EA by writing to SEA (Room 500, Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423–0001) or by calling SEA, at (202) 565–1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339.] Comments on environmental and historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the EA becomes available to the public. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Pursuant to the provisions of 49 CFR 1152.29(e)(2), NSR shall file a notice of consummation with the Board to signify that it has exercised the authority granted and fully abandoned the line. If consummation has not been effected by NSR’s filing of a notice of consummation by September 27, 2007, and there are no legal or regulatory barriers to consummation, the authority to abandon will automatically expire. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: September 18, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06–8167 Filed 9–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56584-56585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15880]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-06-25735; Notice 1]


Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Sabine Pass LNG

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); 
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of intent to consider waiver request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (SPLNG) facility requests a 
waiver of compliance from the regulation that requires every Liquefied 
Natural Gas (LNG) facility constructed after March 31, 2000 to comply 
with the National Fire Protection Association's standard 59A (NFPA 
59A), 2001 Edition.

DATES: Persons interested in submitting written comments on the waiver 
request described in this notice must do so by October 27, 2006. Late 
filed comments will be considered as far as practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by mailing or delivering an 
original and two copies to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. The Dockets Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays when the facility is 
closed. Alternatively, you may submit written comments to the docket 
electronically at the following Web address: https://dms.dot.gov. All 
written comments should identify the docket and notice number stated in 
the heading of this notice. Anyone who wants confirmation of mailed 
comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. To file 
written comments electronically, after logging on to https://
dms.dot.gov, click on ``Comment/Submissions.'' You can also read 
comments and other material in the docket. General information about 
the Federal pipeline safety program is available at https://
phmsa.dot.gov.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (70 FR 19477) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Reynolds by telephone at 202-
366-2786, by fax at 202-366-4566, by mail at DOT, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 400 7th Street, SW., 
Room 2103, Washington, DC 20590, or by e-mail at 
james.reynolds@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    SPLNG requests a waiver of compliance from the regulatory 
requirement at 49 CFR 193.2301. This regulation requires each LNG 
facility constructed after March 31, 2000, to comply with 49 CFR Part 
193 and paragraph 4.2.1 in NFPA 59A, 2001 Edition.
    NFPA 59A requires that welded containers designed for not more than 
15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) comply with the eighth edition, 
1990, of American Petroleum Institute standard 620 (API 620), Design 
and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks (Appendix 
Q). The Eighth Edition of API 620 requires inspection according to 
Appendix Q, which calls for the full radiographic examination of all 
vertical and horizontal butt welds associated with the container.
    SPLNG is proposing to use the 2002 Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of 
API 620. This Edition allows for ultrasonic examination, instead of 
radiography, as an acceptable alternative to examining butt welds 
associated with the container. SPLNG proposes to use ultrasonic 
examination on its project which consists of full semi-automated and 
manual ultrasonic examination using shear wave probes. The examination 
also consists of a volumetric ultrasonic examination using a 
combination of creep wave probes and focused angled longitudinal wave 
probes.
    SPLNG asserts that ultrasonic examination has several advantages 
over radiographic examination, namely it:
     Produces faster examination rates with equal reliability;
     Yields higher weld productivity rates and overall lower 
project cost;
     Employs a linear scanning process and allows both sides of 
the weld to be examined simultaneously;
     Offers results reviewable by personnel both on-site and 
off-site;
     Utilizes inspection data which can be stored, analyzed, 
and shared digitally;
     Eliminates hazardous materials disposal issues; and
     Improves weld inspection personnel safety.
    For the reasons stated, SPLNG is requesting a waiver from 49 CFR 
193.2301 which requires compliance with 49 CFR part 193 and NFPA 59A. 
Moreover, SPLNG is asking that it be allowed to use the ultrasonic 
examination method in the Tenth Edition, Addendum 1, of API 620 instead 
of the radiographic examination method in the Eighth Edition of API 
620.
    The NFPA 59A Technical Committee recently approved and recommended 
the acceptance of the 2002, Tenth Edition, Addendum 1 of API 620 with 
three limitations. PHMSA has only incorporated by reference the 2001 
Edition of NFPA 59A, therefore a waiver is required for the 2006 
Edition.
    PHMSA will consider SPLNG's waiver request and whether SPLNG's 
proposal will yield an equivalent or greater degree of safety than that

[[Page 56585]]

currently provided by the regulations. This notice is PHMSA's only 
request for public comment before making a decision. After considering 
any comments received, PHMSA's will make a determination to grant 
SPLNG's waiver request as proposed or with modifications and conditions 
or deny SPLNG's request. If the waiver is granted and PHMSA 
subsequently determines that the effect of the waiver is inconsistent 
with pipeline safety, PHMSA may impose additional conditions on the 
operator or revoke the waiver at its sole discretion.

    Issued in Washington, DC on September 19, 2006.
Theodore L. Willke,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E6-15880 Filed 9-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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