Pipeline Safety: Installation of Excess Flow Valves into Gas Service Lines, 32077-32078 [E8-12566]

Download as PDF yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 109 / Thursday, June 5, 2008 / Notices regarding an inability to locate the placard or an unawareness of the relevant tire and loading information. In addition, Chrysler states that it has corrected the problem that caused these errors so that they will not be repeated in future production and that it believes that because the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety that no corrective action is warranted. NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the docket and notice number cited at the beginning of this notice and be submitted by any of the following methods: a. By mail addressed to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. b. By hand delivery to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal Holidays. c. Electronically: by logging onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https:// www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Comments may also be faxed to 1–202– 493–2251. The petition, supporting materials, and all comments received before the close of business on the closing date indicated below will be filed and will be considered. Please note that we are allowing just 10 days for comment in order to expedite resolution of this matter. All comments and supporting materials received after the closing date will also be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the petition is granted or denied, notice of the decision will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below. Comment closing date: June 16, 2008. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at CFR 1.50 and 501.8. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:51 Jun 04, 2008 Jkt 214001 Issued on: May 29, 2008. Claude H. Harris, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. E8–12548 Filed 6–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket ID PHMSA–RSPA–2004–19854] Pipeline Safety: Installation of Excess Flow Valves into Gas Service Lines Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document advises operators of gas distribution pipeline systems of a statutory requirement for installation of excess flow valves in certain gas service lines. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni by phone at (202) 366–4571 or by e-mail at mike.israni@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–468) addresses the installation of excess flow valves (EFV) in certain gas service lines. An EFV is a safety device that can terminate flow of gas through a pipeline when the flow rate exceeds its design level, such as when the pipe ruptures or is broken (e.g., by excavation damage) downstream of the valve. A service line is a small-diameter pipeline that carries gas from a distribution main (often located below city streets) to individual residences and businesses where gas is used. Thus, EFVs can protect individual gas customer properties from the consequences of a break in the service line associated with their property. Section 9 of the PIPES Act directs PHMSA to require operators of natural gas distribution systems to install EFVs in selected service lines that are installed or entirely replaced after June 1, 2008. The requirement applies to those service lines that operate continuously throughout the year at a pressure not less than 10 pounds per square inch (psi), that are not connected to a gas stream with respect to which the operator has had prior experience of contaminants that could interfere with operation of an EFV, where the installation of an EFV is not likely to result in a loss of service or interference with required maintenance actions, and PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32077 where a valve of appropriate size and performance is commercially available. The PIPES Act directs PHMSA to include this requirement in a regulation requiring that distribution pipeline system operators establish integrity management programs. PHMSA is still working on its proposed regulation addressing distribution integrity management programs (DIMP). That regulation is complex and has taken longer than anticipated to develop. As a result, the regulation will not be in place before the June 1, 2008, deadline specified in the Act for installation of EFVs on the affected service lines. Nevertheless, gas distribution pipeline operators should be aware of the statutory requirement and are encouraged to install EFVs on service lines that are newly installed or completely replaced after June 1, 2008, and that meet the criteria specified in the PIPES Act. II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–08–04) To: Operators of Gas Distribution Pipelines. Subject: Installation of Excess Flow Valves into Gas Service Lines. Purpose: To advise gas distribution pipeline operators of a statutory requirement to install excess flow valves in selected gas service lines. Advisory: The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–468) mandates that PHMSA require operators of natural gas distribution systems to install excess flow valves (EFV) on certain gas service lines. The statute directs that installation of EFVs will be required on single family residence service lines: • That are installed or entirely replaced after June 1, 2008; • That operate continuously throughout the year at a pressure not less than 10 psi gauge; • That are not connected to a gas stream with respect to which the operator has had prior experience with contaminants the presence of which could interfere with the operation of an EFV, and • For which an excess flow valve meeting the performance standards of 49 CFR 192.381 is commercially available. The PIPES Act directs the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to include this requirement in a regulation addressing distribution integrity management programs (DIMP). PHMSA is working on its DIMP regulation and expects a proposed rule to be published shortly. PHMSA intends to analyze public comments and prepare a final rule in an E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1 32078 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 109 / Thursday, June 5, 2008 / Notices expeditious manner. It is apparent, however, that the final rule cannot be in place before the June 1, 2008, deadline for EFV installation that is in the Act. PHMSA encourages all gas distribution pipeline operators to take actions to ensure that EFVs are installed on the appropriate service lines that are installed or completely replaced after June 1, 2008. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2008. William H. Gute, Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. E8–12566 Filed 6–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 35143] R.J. Corman Railroad Company/ Pennsylvania Lines Inc.—Acquisition and Operation Exemption—Line of Norfolk Southern Railway Company yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES R.J. Corman Railroad Company/ Pennsylvania Lines Inc. (RJCP), a Class III rail carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to acquire by purchase from Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) 1 a rail line extending between milepost 64.5 near Winburne, PA, and milepost 45.5 near Gillintown, PA, a distance of approximately 19 miles in Clearfield and Centre Counties, PA (the Snow Shoe Industrial Track).2 RJCP intends to operate rail service over the Eastern Segment.3 1 NS succeeded to Consolidated Rail Corporation’s (Conrail) ownership of the subject line as a result of the merger proceeding in CSX Corp. et al.—Control—Conrail Inc. et al., 3 S.T.B. 196 (1998). 2 This proceeding also is related to STB Finance Docket No. 35116, R.J. Corman Railroad Company/ Pennsylvania Lines Inc.—Construction and Operation Exemption—in Clearfield County, PA, in which RJCP seeks an exemption to construct and to operate over approximately 10.8 miles of abandoned Conrail right-of-way from Wallaceton Junction, at Conrail milepost 11.76, to Winburne, at milepost 64.5 (Conrail milepost 22.56), (the Western Segment), and to rebuild the track on a rail banked 9.3-mile portion of the Snow Shoe Industrial Track between milepost 64.5 near Winburne and milepost 55.2 near Gorton, PA (the Eastern Segment). RJCP takes the position that it does not need Board authority for construction with respect to the rail banked Eastern Segment and has filed a motion to dismiss that part of the construction petition for exemption that pertains to the Eastern Segment. The Western Segment connects at Wallaceton Junction with RJCP’s existing rail line. Together, the Eastern and Western Segments would be operated by RJCP as the Beech Creek Branch Line. 3 A Certificate of Interim Trail Use or Abandonment (CITU) was issued for the entire 19 miles of the Snow Shoe Industrial Track in Conrail VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:51 Jun 04, 2008 Jkt 214001 Based on projected revenues for the line being acquired, RJCP expects to remain a Class III rail carrier after consummation of the proposed transaction. RJCP certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in the creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier. Because the projected annual revenues of the lines, together with RJCP’s projected annual revenue, will exceed $5 million, RJCP is required, at least 60 days before an exemption is to become effective, to send notice of the transaction to the national and local offices of the labor unions with employees on the affected lines and post a copy of the notice at the workplace of the employees on the affected lines and certify to the Board that it has done so. 49 CFR 1150.42(e). However, RJCP has noted that there are no affected employees as there is no current rail line. Therefore, RJCP has filed for a waiver from the requirements of 49 CFR 1150.42(e). RJCP states in the waiver request that the track materials on the line have been removed, no rail operations have been conducted for at least 15 years, and no railroad workers have been employed on the line for at least the same period of time. RJCP’s waiver request will be handled in a subsequent decision. The Board will establish in the decision on the waiver request the earliest this transaction may be consummated. RJCP states that it intends to consummate the transaction only following approval of RJCP’s petition for exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 35116. If the notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than 7 days before the exemption becomes effective. Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110–161 section 193, 121 Stat. 1844 Abandonment of the Snow Shoe Industrial Track in Centre and Clearfield Counties, PA, Docket No. AB– 167 (Sub-No. 1004N) (ICC served Nov. 5, 1993) and remains in place. The Headwaters Charitable Trust (HCT) has been using the rail banked right-of-way as a recreational trail on an interim basis. RJCP has concurrently filed a petition in STB Docket No. AB– 167 (Sub-No. 1004N), seeking vacation of the CITU with respect to the Eastern Segment. With respect to the remaining portion of the Snow Shoe Industrial track, from milepost 55.2 to milepost 45.5, RJCP states that it intends to maintain the agreement with HCT to allow continued recreational trail use. PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (2007), nothing in this decision authorizes the following activities at any solid waste rail transfer facility: collecting, storing, or transferring solid waste outside of its original shipping container; or separating or processing solid waste (including baling, crushing, compacting, and shredding). The term ‘‘solid waste’’ is defined in section 1004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6903. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 35143, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423– 0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Ronald A. Lane, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 920, Chicago, IL 60606–2832. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: May 30, 2008. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Anne K. Quinlan, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–12584 Filed 6–4–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Bureau of Transportation Statistics [RITA 2007–27185 Paperwork Reduction Notice] Research and Innovative Technology Administration; Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review; Report of Traffic and Capacity Statistics—The T–100 System Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of DOT requiring U.S. and foreign air carriers to file traffic and capacity data pursuant to 14 CFR 241.19 and Part 217, respectively. These reports are used to measure air transportation activity to, from, and within the United States. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by August 4, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 109 (Thursday, June 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32077-32078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12566]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket ID PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854]


Pipeline Safety: Installation of Excess Flow Valves into Gas 
Service Lines

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.

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

SUMMARY: This document advises operators of gas distribution pipeline 
systems of a statutory requirement for installation of excess flow 
valves in certain gas service lines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni by phone at (202) 366-4571 
or by e-mail at mike.israni@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety 
(PIPES) Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-468) addresses the installation of 
excess flow valves (EFV) in certain gas service lines. An EFV is a 
safety device that can terminate flow of gas through a pipeline when 
the flow rate exceeds its design level, such as when the pipe ruptures 
or is broken (e.g., by excavation damage) downstream of the valve. A 
service line is a small-diameter pipeline that carries gas from a 
distribution main (often located below city streets) to individual 
residences and businesses where gas is used. Thus, EFVs can protect 
individual gas customer properties from the consequences of a break in 
the service line associated with their property.
    Section 9 of the PIPES Act directs PHMSA to require operators of 
natural gas distribution systems to install EFVs in selected service 
lines that are installed or entirely replaced after June 1, 2008. The 
requirement applies to those service lines that operate continuously 
throughout the year at a pressure not less than 10 pounds per square 
inch (psi), that are not connected to a gas stream with respect to 
which the operator has had prior experience of contaminants that could 
interfere with operation of an EFV, where the installation of an EFV is 
not likely to result in a loss of service or interference with required 
maintenance actions, and where a valve of appropriate size and 
performance is commercially available. The PIPES Act directs PHMSA to 
include this requirement in a regulation requiring that distribution 
pipeline system operators establish integrity management programs.
    PHMSA is still working on its proposed regulation addressing 
distribution integrity management programs (DIMP). That regulation is 
complex and has taken longer than anticipated to develop. As a result, 
the regulation will not be in place before the June 1, 2008, deadline 
specified in the Act for installation of EFVs on the affected service 
lines. Nevertheless, gas distribution pipeline operators should be 
aware of the statutory requirement and are encouraged to install EFVs 
on service lines that are newly installed or completely replaced after 
June 1, 2008, and that meet the criteria specified in the PIPES Act.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-08-04)

    To: Operators of Gas Distribution Pipelines.
    Subject: Installation of Excess Flow Valves into Gas Service Lines.
    Purpose: To advise gas distribution pipeline operators of a 
statutory requirement to install excess flow valves in selected gas 
service lines.
    Advisory: The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and 
Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-468) mandates that PHMSA 
require operators of natural gas distribution systems to install excess 
flow valves (EFV) on certain gas service lines. The statute directs 
that installation of EFVs will be required on single family residence 
service lines:
     That are installed or entirely replaced after June 1, 
2008;
     That operate continuously throughout the year at a 
pressure not less than 10 psi gauge;
     That are not connected to a gas stream with respect to 
which the operator has had prior experience with contaminants the 
presence of which could interfere with the operation of an EFV, and
     For which an excess flow valve meeting the performance 
standards of 49 CFR 192.381 is commercially available.
    The PIPES Act directs the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration (PHMSA) to include this requirement in a regulation 
addressing distribution integrity management programs (DIMP). PHMSA is 
working on its DIMP regulation and expects a proposed rule to be 
published shortly. PHMSA intends to analyze public comments and prepare 
a final rule in an

[[Page 32078]]

expeditious manner. It is apparent, however, that the final rule cannot 
be in place before the June 1, 2008, deadline for EFV installation that 
is in the Act.
    PHMSA encourages all gas distribution pipeline operators to take 
actions to ensure that EFVs are installed on the appropriate service 
lines that are installed or completely replaced after June 1, 2008.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2008.
William H. Gute,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E8-12566 Filed 6-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

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