Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit, 54532-54533 [2011-22342]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 54532 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 170 / Thursday, September 1, 2011 / Notices shall initiate a program to recondition or phase out the segment involved, or, if the segment cannot be reconditioned or phased out, reduce the maximum allowable operating pressure in accordance with § 192.619(a) and (b).’’ Section 195.401(b)(1) of the hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations states that ‘‘[w]henever an operator discovers any condition that could adversely affect the safe operation of its pipeline system, it must correct the condition within a reasonable time. However, if the condition is of such a nature that it presents an immediate hazard to persons or property, the operator may not operate the affected part of the system until it has corrected the unsafe condition.’’ Section 195.401(b)(2) further states that ‘‘[w]hen an operator discovers a condition on a pipeline covered under [the integrity management requirements in] § 195.452, the operator must correct the condition as prescribed in § 195.452(h).’’ Operators of shallow-water gas and hazardous liquid pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets have a specific obligation to ‘‘prepare and follow a procedure to identify [their] pipelines * * * that are at risk of being an exposed underwater pipeline or a hazard to navigation * * * [and to] conduct appropriate underwater inspections * * * [of those pipelines] based on the identified risk[;]’’ and upon discovering that ‘‘its pipeline is an exposed underwater pipeline or poses a hazard to navigation,’’ to promptly report the location of that pipeline to the National Response Center, to mark its location, and to ensure its reburial within a specified time. 49 CFR 192.612, 195.413. Hurricanes can adversely affect the operation of a pipeline and require corrective action under §§ 192.613 and 195.401. Hurricanes also increase the risk of underwater pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets becoming exposed or constituting a hazard to navigation under §§ 192.612 and 195.413. The concentration of U.S. oil and gas production, processing, and transportation facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Gulf Coast means that a significant percentage of domestic oil and gas production and processing is prone to disruption by hurricanes. In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused significant damage to the oil and gas production structures. The onshore damage caused a significant impact in the ability of the oil and gas industry to respond due to the lack of resources, personnel, and infrastructure, as well as significant damage to onshore processing facilities and power supplies. There were significant VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:16 Aug 31, 2011 Jkt 223001 competing resource needs with the impacts caused by the devastation of New Orleans and western Louisiana/ eastern Texas shore communities that normally provide the services and supplies for the industry. II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–11–05) To: Owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems. Subject: Potential for damage to pipeline facilities caused by hurricanes. Advisory: All owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines are reminded that pipeline safety problems can occur by the passage of hurricanes. Pipeline operators are urged to take the following actions to ensure pipeline safety: 1. Identify persons who normally engage in shallow-water commercial fishing, shrimping, and other marine vessel operations and caution them that underwater offshore pipelines may be exposed or constitute a hazard to navigation. Marine vessels operating in water depths comparable to a vessel’s draft or when operating bottom dragging equipment can be damaged and their crews endangered by an encounter with an underwater pipeline. 2. Identify and caution marine vessel operators in offshore shipping lanes and other offshore areas that deploying fishing nets or anchors and conducting dredging operations may damage underwater pipelines, their vessels, and endanger their crews. 3. If operators should need to bring offshore and inland transmission facilities back online, check for structural damage to piping, valves, emergency shutdown systems, risers and supporting systems. Aerial inspections of pipeline routes should be conducted to check for leaks in the transmission systems. In areas where floating and jack-up rigs have moved and their path could have been over the pipelines, review possible routes and check for sub-sea pipeline damage where required. 4. Operators should take action to minimize and mitigate damages caused by flooding to gas distribution systems including the prevention of overpressure of low pressure and high pressure distribution systems. PHMSA would appreciate receiving information about any damage to pipeline facilities caused by hurricanes. The Federal pipeline safety regulations require that operators report certain incidents and accidents to PHMSA by specific methods. Damage not reported by these methods may be reported to John Hess, Director for Emergency Support and Security, 202–366–4595 or by e-mail at PHMSA.OPA90@dot.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Chapter 601; 49 CFR 1.53. Issued in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2011. Alan K. Mayberry, Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations. [FR Doc. 2011–22343 Filed 8–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA–2006–26618] Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice to announce the availability of the draft environment assessment prepared in response to the request for a special permit we have received from El Paso Pipeline, seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This notice also seeks public comments on any safety or environmental impacts relative to this request. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the comments and determine whether to grant or deny a special permit. DATES: Submit any comments regarding the draft environmental assessment for this special permit request by October 3, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for the specific special permit request and may be submitted in the following ways: • E-Gov Web Site: https:// www.Regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01SEN1.SGM 01SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 170 / Thursday, September 1, 2011 / Notices Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please include a selfaddressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments at https:// www.Regulations.gov. Note: Comments are posted without changes or edits to https://www.Regulations. gov, including any personal information provided. There is a privacy statement published on https://www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Kay McIver by telephone at Docket number Requester PHMSA–2006–26618 ............... Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2011. Alan K. Mayberry, Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety Field Operations. [FR Doc. 2011–22342 Filed 8–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0101] Pipeline Safety: Issuance of Draft Decision on GexCon US, Inc. Petition for Approval of Flame Acceleration Simulator Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: This notice advises owners and operators of liquefied natural gas facilities and other interested parties that the Administrator has issued a Draft Decision on GexCon US, Inc.’s petition for approval of Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS). The Draft Decision SUMMARY: 16:16 Aug 31, 2011 Jkt 223001 Nature of special permit 49 CFR 192.611 .............. The special permit request from El Paso Pipeline seeks permission to extend a previously approved permit for the 30-inch Niagara Spur Loop Line 230B–200, near Lockport, New York by an additional 1,250 feet. The previously issued permit allowed Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) to operate at or below the MAOP of 877 psig. We are publishing the draft environment assessment to seek public comments on any environmental impacts that granting an extension of this permit would present. is available for public inspection at Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0101 at https://www.regulations.gov. DATES: Submit comments by September 14, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0101 and may be submitted in the following ways: • E–Gov Website: https://www. regulations.gov. This Web site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, M–30, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: Identify the docket number PHMSA–2011–0101 at the beginning of your comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https://www. PO 00000 assessment at https:// www.Regulations.gov, and by submitting written comments, data or other views. Please include any comments on potential environmental impacts that may result if this special permit is granted. Before acting on the special permit request, PHMSA will evaluate all comments received on or before the comments closing date. Comments will be evaluated after this date if it is possible to do so without incurring additional expense or delay. PHMSA will consider each relevant comment we receive in making our decision to grant or deny a request. PHMSA is publishing the draft environment assessment in response to this special permit request. Regulation(s) affected El Paso Pipeline Group for Tennessee Gas Pipeline. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR 1.53. VerDate Mar<15>2010 202–366–0113, or e-mail at kay.mciver@dot.gov. Technical: Steve Nanney by telephone at 713–628–7479, or e-mail at Steve.Nanney@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA has received a request for special permit from El Paso pipeline seeking relief from compliance with certain pipeline safety regulations. The request included the completion of an environmental assessment questionnaire, and submission of a technical analysis by the operator. The request and supporting documents were filed at https://www.Regulations.gov and assigned docket number Docket No. PHMSA–2006–26618. We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing the draft environment 54533 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You should know that 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.). Therefore, you may want to review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477) or visit https://www. regulations.gov before submitting any such comments. Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments go to https://www.regulations. gov at any time or to Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your written comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped postcard with the following statement: ‘‘Comments on PHMSA–2011–0101.’’ The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via the U.S. mail. Please note that due to delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices E:\FR\FM\01SEN1.SGM 01SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54532-54533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22342]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2006-26618]


Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is 
publishing this notice to announce the availability of the draft 
environment assessment prepared in response to the request for a 
special permit we have received from El Paso Pipeline, seeking relief 
from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline 
safety regulations. This notice also seeks public comments on any 
safety or environmental impacts relative to this request. At the 
conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the 
comments and determine whether to grant or deny a special permit.

DATES: Submit any comments regarding the draft environmental assessment 
for this special permit request by October 3, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for the specific 
special permit request and may be submitted in the following ways:
     E-Gov Web Site: https://www.Regulations.gov. This site 
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice 
issued by any agency.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 54533]]

    Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special 
permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. 
If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To 
receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please 
include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit 
comments at https://www.Regulations.gov.

    Note: Comments are posted without changes or edits to https://www.Regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. 
There is a privacy statement published on https://www.Regulations.gov.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Kay McIver by telephone at 
202-366-0113, or e-mail at kay.mciver@dot.gov.
    Technical: Steve Nanney by telephone at 713-628-7479, or e-mail at 
Steve.Nanney@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA has received a request for special 
permit from El Paso pipeline seeking relief from compliance with 
certain pipeline safety regulations. The request included the 
completion of an environmental assessment questionnaire, and submission 
of a technical analysis by the operator. The request and supporting 
documents were filed at https://www.Regulations.gov and assigned docket 
number Docket No. PHMSA-2006-26618. We invite interested persons to 
participate by reviewing the draft environment assessment at https://www.Regulations.gov, and by submitting written comments, data or other 
views. Please include any comments on potential environmental impacts 
that may result if this special permit is granted.
    Before acting on the special permit request, PHMSA will evaluate 
all comments received on or before the comments closing date. Comments 
will be evaluated after this date if it is possible to do so without 
incurring additional expense or delay. PHMSA will consider each 
relevant comment we receive in making our decision to grant or deny a 
request.
    PHMSA is publishing the draft environment assessment in response to 
this special permit request.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Docket number                    Requester        Regulation(s) affected    Nature of special permit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHMSA-2006-26618...................  El Paso Pipeline Group  49 CFR 192.611........  The special permit request
                                      for Tennessee Gas                               from El Paso Pipeline
                                      Pipeline.                                       seeks permission to extend
                                                                                      a previously approved
                                                                                      permit for the 30-inch
                                                                                      Niagara Spur Loop Line
                                                                                      230B-200, near Lockport,
                                                                                      New York by an additional
                                                                                      1,250 feet. The previously
                                                                                      issued permit allowed
                                                                                      Tennessee Gas Pipeline
                                                                                      (TGP) to operate at or
                                                                                      below the MAOP of 877
                                                                                      psig. We are publishing
                                                                                      the draft environment
                                                                                      assessment to seek public
                                                                                      comments on any
                                                                                      environmental impacts that
                                                                                      granting an extension of
                                                                                      this permit would present.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 60118 (c)(1) and 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2011.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2011-22342 Filed 8-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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