Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines, 70953 [2011-29497]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / Proposed Rules
Arkansas’ Interstate Transport SIP to
address pollution affecting visibility (76
FR 64186). In the proposal we requested
comment by November 16, 2011. The
proposal and supporting documentation
for our proposal can be accessed at
https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No.
EPA–R06–OAR–2008–0727).
The EPA is extending the comment
period due to public requests that have
been made stating that additional time
is needed in order to fully evaluate our
proposed rule and provide substantive
comment. We are extending the
comment period for our proposed rule
until December 22, 2011.
Dated: November 9, 2011.
Carl E. Edlund,
Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division
Director, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011–29724 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 192
[Docket ID PHMSA–2011–0023]
Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas
Transmission Pipelines
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA); DOT.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed
rulemaking; extension of comment
period.
AGENCY:
On August 25, 2011, (76 FR
53086) PHMSA published in the
Federal Register an Advance Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) titled:
‘‘Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines’’
seeking comments on the need for
changes to the regulations covering gas
transmission pipelines. PHMSA has
received requests to extend the
comment period in order to have more
time to evaluate the ANPRM. PHMSA is
extending the comment period from
December 2, 2011, to January 20, 2012.
DATES: The closing date for filing
comments is extended from December 2,
2011, until January 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference
Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0023 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
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
SUMMARY:
15:39 Nov 15, 2011
For
further information contact Mike Israni
at (202) 366–4566 or by email at
mike.israni@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
25, 2011, (76 FR 53086), PHMSA
published an ANPRM seeking
comments on the need for changes to
the regulations covering gas
transmission pipelines. Within this
ANPRM, PHMSA is seeking public
comment on 15 specific topic areas in
two broad categories (integrity
management (IM) and Non-IM
requirements). In particular, PHMSA is
interested in knowing whether IM
requirements should be changed, more
prescriptive language added in some
areas, and non-IM requirements
strengthened or expanded. Among the
specific issues PHMSA is considering
concerning IM requirements is whether
the definition of a high-consequence
area should be revised, and whether
additional restrictions should be placed
on the use of specific pipeline
assessment methods. With respect to
non-IM requirements, PHMSA is
considering whether revised
requirements are needed on new
construction or existing pipelines
concerning mainline valves, whether
requirements for corrosion control of
steel pipelines should be strengthened,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RIN 2137–AE72
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Federal Register notice issued by any
agency.
• Fax: 1 (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: DOT Docket Management
System: U.S. DOT, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
Hand Delivery: U.S. DOT Docket
Management System; 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: You should identify the
Docket No. PHMSA–2011–0023 at the
beginning of your comments. If you
submit your comments by mail, submit
two copies. To receive confirmation that
PHMSA received your comments,
include a self-addressed stamped
postcard. Internet users may submit
comments at https://
www.regulations.gov.
Jkt 226001
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
70953
and whether new regulations are needed
to govern the safety of gathering lines
and underground gas storage facilities.
On September 9, 2011, the Interstate
Natural Gas Association of America
(INGAA) and the American Gas
Association (AGA) requested that
PHMSA extend the comment period of
the ANPRM by 90 days. INGAA and
AGA supported their request stating that
the ANPRM poses a large number of
multi-part questions that cover 15
separate topic areas. They stated that to
thoughtfully and thoroughly address the
issues, significant effort on the part of
all stakeholders is required, and may
include industry-wide surveys. They
stated that questions regarding cost
implications and various other impacts
will entail an integrated effort within
the industry to provide a quality,
validated, and vetted answer. Also, they
stated that timing supports their request
because they are currently in the initial
phases of implementing the Control
Room Management regulations, and
completing and verifying their 2011
projects and conducting maintenance,
budget and planning activities that will
directly impact their pipeline safety
compliance efforts this year and next. In
addition, they stated that PHMSA
granted an extension of time allowing
parties four months to comment on the
hazardous liquid ANPRM and,
therefore, a 90-day extension of the
comment period is further justified by
the depth and scope of the issues
addressed in the natural gas ANPRM.
Through this ANPRM, PHMSA has
raised several important and complex
public safety issues, many of which, if
implemented, could impose significant
cost on the pipeline industry. PHMSA
needs very thorough responses to the
questions we have posed in the ANPRM
in order to facilitate PHMSA’s decision
making on these very important and
complex issues. Based on the reasons
given by INGAA and AGA in their
request to extend the comment period,
and PHMSA’s need to have the best data
possible to facilitate its decisions
relative to these issues, PHMSA believes
that extension of the comment period is
warranted. Therefore, PHMSA has
extended the comment period from
December 2, 2011, to January 20, 2012.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3,
2011.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2011–29497 Filed 11–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM
16NOP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29497]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 192
[Docket ID PHMSA-2011-0023]
RIN 2137-AE72
Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA);
DOT.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment
period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On August 25, 2011, (76 FR 53086) PHMSA published in the
Federal Register an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
titled: ``Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines'' seeking comments on
the need for changes to the regulations covering gas transmission
pipelines. PHMSA has received requests to extend the comment period in
order to have more time to evaluate the ANPRM. PHMSA is extending the
comment period from December 2, 2011, to January 20, 2012.
DATES: The closing date for filing comments is extended from December
2, 2011, until January 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 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: DOT Docket Management System: U.S. DOT, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: U.S. DOT Docket Management System; 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: You should identify the Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 at
the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail,
submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA received your
comments, 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: For further information contact Mike
Israni at (202) 366-4566 or by email at mike.israni@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 25, 2011, (76 FR 53086), PHMSA
published an ANPRM seeking comments on the need for changes to the
regulations covering gas transmission pipelines. Within this ANPRM,
PHMSA is seeking public comment on 15 specific topic areas in two broad
categories (integrity management (IM) and Non-IM requirements). In
particular, PHMSA is interested in knowing whether IM requirements
should be changed, more prescriptive language added in some areas, and
non-IM requirements strengthened or expanded. Among the specific issues
PHMSA is considering concerning IM requirements is whether the
definition of a high-consequence area should be revised, and whether
additional restrictions should be placed on the use of specific
pipeline assessment methods. With respect to non-IM requirements, PHMSA
is considering whether revised requirements are needed on new
construction or existing pipelines concerning mainline valves, whether
requirements for corrosion control of steel pipelines should be
strengthened, and whether new regulations are needed to govern the
safety of gathering lines and underground gas storage facilities.
On September 9, 2011, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of
America (INGAA) and the American Gas Association (AGA) requested that
PHMSA extend the comment period of the ANPRM by 90 days. INGAA and AGA
supported their request stating that the ANPRM poses a large number of
multi-part questions that cover 15 separate topic areas. They stated
that to thoughtfully and thoroughly address the issues, significant
effort on the part of all stakeholders is required, and may include
industry-wide surveys. They stated that questions regarding cost
implications and various other impacts will entail an integrated effort
within the industry to provide a quality, validated, and vetted answer.
Also, they stated that timing supports their request because they are
currently in the initial phases of implementing the Control Room
Management regulations, and completing and verifying their 2011
projects and conducting maintenance, budget and planning activities
that will directly impact their pipeline safety compliance efforts this
year and next. In addition, they stated that PHMSA granted an extension
of time allowing parties four months to comment on the hazardous liquid
ANPRM and, therefore, a 90-day extension of the comment period is
further justified by the depth and scope of the issues addressed in the
natural gas ANPRM.
Through this ANPRM, PHMSA has raised several important and complex
public safety issues, many of which, if implemented, could impose
significant cost on the pipeline industry. PHMSA needs very thorough
responses to the questions we have posed in the ANPRM in order to
facilitate PHMSA's decision making on these very important and complex
issues. Based on the reasons given by INGAA and AGA in their request to
extend the comment period, and PHMSA's need to have the best data
possible to facilitate its decisions relative to these issues, PHMSA
believes that extension of the comment period is warranted. Therefore,
PHMSA has extended the comment period from December 2, 2011, to January
20, 2012.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3, 2011.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2011-29497 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
