Pipeline Safety: Communication During Emergency Situations, 61826-61827 [2012-24975]

Download as PDF 61826 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 197 / Thursday, October 11, 2012 / Notices passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode= welcome_gi_new&groupID=16450837. Please contact the Hyatt Regency for information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance during these public meetings. The meeting room will be posted at the hotel on the days of the workshop. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Keener at 202–366–0970 or by email at blaine.keener@dot.gov. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA will be holding this public meeting to provide an open forum for exchanging information about how pipeline data is used by stakeholders and how performance measures could be improved. The NTSB and the DOT Office of the Inspector General have recommended that PHMSA improve pipeline safety performance measures and generate meaningful metrics. Various stakeholders, including Federal and state regulatory agencies, industry, advocacy groups and the media often use data collected by PHMSA and made publicly available to describe the reliability of the pipeline infrastructure, portray safety trends, or identify emerging safety concerns. Further, this data is often used as part of evaluating the safety performance of individual companies, the industry as a whole, and the effectiveness of the regulatory process. PHMSA regulations require integrity management program performance measures for gas distribution pipelines (49 CFR 192.1007(e)), gas transmission pipelines (49 CFR 192.945) and hazardous liquids pipelines (49 CFR 195.452(k)). The information exchanged at this public meeting will help inform PHMSA as rulemakings or information collections are considered to improve integrity management performance measures and establish new performance measures for aspects of pipeline safety other than integrity management programs. The keynote speaker will be NTSB member Mr. Mark Rosekind. Presenters will include PHMSA, NAPSR, the Pipeline Safety Trust, and representatives from the pipeline industry. As speakers are identified by name, the agenda on the registration Web page will be updated. PHMSA invites all stakeholders to actively participate in the meeting and specifically engage in thoughtful input and discussion during the topic specific breakout session. The overall objectives of the meeting are to: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:03 Oct 10, 2012 Jkt 229001 1. Determine how stakeholders, including PHMSA, industry, and the public use the data. 2. Determine how industry and PHMSA currently measure performance, how performance measures could be improved, and what additional data is needed to do so. 3. Determine the best method(s) for collecting, analyzing, and ensuring transparency of additional data needed to improve performance measures. 4. Summarize the data PHMSA currently collects, who we collect it from, and why we collect it. 5. Discuss data quality improvement including past efforts and future opportunities as well as universally understood definitions. PHMSA is preparing a document summarizing the pipeline data currently collected by PHMSA. This document will be available on the registration Web page by October 22, 2012. All presentations made during the meeting will be available on the registration Web page a few days after the meeting ends. Jeffrey D. Wiese, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2012–24976 Filed 10–10–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0201] Pipeline Safety: Communication During Emergency Situations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin. AGENCY: PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of gas, hazardous liquid, and liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities that operators should immediately and directly notify the Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that serves the communities and jurisdictions in which those pipelines are located when there are indications of a pipeline facility emergency. Furthermore, operators should have the ability to immediately contact PSAP(s) along their pipeline routes if there is an indication of a pipeline facility emergency to determine if the PSAP has information which may help the operator confirm an emergency or to provide assistance and information to public safety personnel who may be responding to the event. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 John Gale by phone at 202–366–0434 or by email at john.gale@dot.gov. Information about PHMSA may be found at https:// phmsa.dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: I. Background Federal regulations for gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities require operators to have written procedures for responding to emergencies involving their pipeline facility. The regulations further require that operators include procedures for planning with and notifying local emergency response and other public officials to ensure a coordinated response. Under 49 CFR §§ 192.605, 192.615, 193.2509, and 195.402, pipeline facility operators must include provisions for coordinating with appropriate fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and other public safety officials in their emergency plans. Immediate contact by pipeline facility operators with local emergency responders located in potentially affected areas provides for appropriate, more coordinated and effective response to emergency situations involving pipelines, and can minimize potential injury, death and environmental damage. Under §§ 192.616 and 195.440, pipeline facility operators must also develop and implement, and sustain a written public education program that follows the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162. Incorporated by reference into §§ 192.616 and 195.440, API RP 1162 further requires operators to provide notice of, and information regarding their emergency response plans to appropriate local emergency officials. These response plans should include information about how emergency officials can determine potential pipeline related risks, and implement appropriate response plans. In addition, on December 11, 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety recommendations following its investigation of the September 9, 2010, natural gas pipeline rupture in the city of San Bruno, CA. Included in these recommendations was NTSB Safety Recommendation P–11–9, which suggested that PHMSA require operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines ‘‘to ensure that their control room operators immediately and directly notify the 9–1–1 emergency call center(s) for the communities and jurisdiction in which those pipelines are located when a possible rupture of any pipeline is indicated.’’ Pipeline facility E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 197 / Thursday, October 11, 2012 / Notices pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES operators should be proactive in notifying officials of possible incidents so that a suitable and timely response can be implemented. Finally, PHMSA is publishing this Advisory Bulletin to reiterate the importance of immediate dialogue between pipeline facility operators and PSAP staff when there is any indication of a pipeline rupture or other emergency condition which may have an adverse impact on public safety or the environment. The local PSAP may have information pertaining to the event that is not available to the pipeline facility operator. For example, a pipeline facility operator may be aware of a sudden pressure drop on their pipeline, but not be able to pinpoint the location of a release. The local PSAP may have received 9–1–1 calls concerning a strong odor of crude oil or fuel, or of a large fire, but not be aware a pipeline facility is involved. The early exchange and coordination of information can benefit both pipeline facility operators and emergency responders so that a more rapid and effective response to the event is achieved. II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2012–09) To: Operators of Gas, Hazardous Liquid, and Liquefied Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities Subject: Communication During Emergency Situations Advisory: To further enhance the Department’s safety efforts, PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin regarding communication between pipeline facility operators and the PSAP which serves the local emergency responders during pipeline facility emergencies in communities along the pipeline route. To ensure a prompt, effective, and coordinated response to any type of emergency involving a pipeline facility, pipeline facility operators are required to maintain an informed relationship with emergency responders in their jurisdiction in accordance with §§ 192.615, 193.2509 and 195.402. PHMSA reminds pipeline facility operators of these requirements and, in particular, the need to notify the PSAP(s), commonly referred to as 9–1– 1 emergency call centers, or the local equivalent, of indications of a pipeline facility emergency. Such indications may include an unexpected drop in pressure, unanticipated loss of supervisory control and data acquisition communications, or reports from field personnel. PHMSA recommends that pipeline facility operators immediately contact the PSAP for the communities and jurisdictions in which those indications occur, to notify local responders and implement a VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:03 Oct 10, 2012 Jkt 229001 coordinated emergency response. These notifications to the PSAP(s) are typically made from pipeline facility control rooms and dispatch centers; pipeline facility operators should ensure the call to the appropriate PSAP is made promptly, and to as many jurisdictions as is necessary. A direct-inbound tendigit number must be used for the specific PSAP, since a call to 9–1–1 would be routed only to the PSAP for the caller’s location. Further, PHMSA believes that immediate contact and conversation should be established between pipeline facility operators and PSAP staff when there is any indication of a pipeline rupture or other emergency condition which may have a potential adverse impact on public safety or the environment. PHMSA recommends that pipeline facility operators inquire of the PSAP(s) if there are any other reported indicators of possible pipeline emergencies such as odors, unexplained noises, product releases, explosions, fires, etc., as these reports may not have been linked to a possible pipeline incident by the callers contacting the 9– 1–1 emergency call center. This early coordination will facilitate the timely and effective implementation of the pipeline facility operator’s emergency response plan and coordinated response with local public safety officials. Jeffrey D. Wiese, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2012–24975 Filed 10–10–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Open Meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance Departmental Offices, Treasury. Notice of Open Meeting; Request for Comment. AGENCY: ACTION: This Notice sets forth the proposed topics to be discussed for a meeting of the Department of the Treasury’s Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance (FACI). The meeting is open to the public and the site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The FACI will convene the meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at the Department of the Treasury, in the Cash Room, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20220, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. The meeting will be open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on November 14, 2012, commencing at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61827 The FACI meeting will be held at the Department of the Treasury, in the Cash Room, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220. The meeting will be open to the public. The meeting will be held in a secured facility, and members of the public who plan to attend the meeting must contact the Federal Insurance Office (Office), at (202) 622–6910, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, to inform the Office of the desire to attend the meeting and to provide the following information which is required for entry into the building: —Name —Organization —Date of Birth —Social Security Number —Country of Citizenship FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. Brown, Senior Policy Advisor to the Federal Insurance Office, Department of the Treasury, 1425 New York Avenue NW., Room 2100, Washington, DC 20005, at (202) 622– 6910 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons who have difficulty hearing or speaking may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is provided in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. II, 10(a)(2), through implementing regulations at 41 CFR 102–3.150. Request for Public Comments: FACI is seeking public comments on the EU– U.S. Insurance Dialogue Summary Report (Report) located at: https:// eiopa.europa.eu/consultations/publichearings/forthcoming/20121016/ index.html. FACI will be discussing the Report at the November 14, 2012 meeting. In addition, the Report will be addressed during a public consultation on October 12, 2012 from 2–5 p.m. in Independence Room F–I, Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20001, as part of the EU–U.S. Dialogue Project. Members of the public wishing to comment on the Report are invited to submit written statements before October 28, 2012, to the FACI by any of the following methods: ADDRESSES: Electronic Statements • Send electronic comments to faci@treasury.gov. Paper Statements • Send paper statements in triplicate to the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance, Department of the Treasury, 1425 New York Avenue NW., Room 2100, Washington, DC 20005. E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61826-61827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24975]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0201]


Pipeline Safety: Communication During Emergency Situations

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

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.

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

SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of 
gas, hazardous liquid, and liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities 
that operators should immediately and directly notify the Public Safety 
Access Point (PSAP) that serves the communities and jurisdictions in 
which those pipelines are located when there are indications of a 
pipeline facility emergency. Furthermore, operators should have the 
ability to immediately contact PSAP(s) along their pipeline routes if 
there is an indication of a pipeline facility emergency to determine if 
the PSAP has information which may help the operator confirm an 
emergency or to provide assistance and information to public safety 
personnel who may be responding to the event.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Gale by phone at 202-366-0434 or 
by email at john.gale@dot.gov. Information about PHMSA may be found at 
https://phmsa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Federal regulations for gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and 
hazardous liquid pipeline facilities require operators to have written 
procedures for responding to emergencies involving their pipeline 
facility. The regulations further require that operators include 
procedures for planning with and notifying local emergency response and 
other public officials to ensure a coordinated response. Under 49 CFR 
Sec. Sec.  192.605, 192.615, 193.2509, and 195.402, pipeline facility 
operators must include provisions for coordinating with appropriate 
fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and other public safety 
officials in their emergency plans. Immediate contact by pipeline 
facility operators with local emergency responders located in 
potentially affected areas provides for appropriate, more coordinated 
and effective response to emergency situations involving pipelines, and 
can minimize potential injury, death and environmental damage.
    Under Sec. Sec.  192.616 and 195.440, pipeline facility operators 
must also develop and implement, and sustain a written public education 
program that follows the American Petroleum Institute's (API) 
Recommended Practice (RP) 1162. Incorporated by reference into 
Sec. Sec.  192.616 and 195.440, API RP 1162 further requires operators 
to provide notice of, and information regarding their emergency 
response plans to appropriate local emergency officials. These response 
plans should include information about how emergency officials can 
determine potential pipeline related risks, and implement appropriate 
response plans.
    In addition, on December 11, 2011, the National Transportation 
Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety recommendations following its 
investigation of the September 9, 2010, natural gas pipeline rupture in 
the city of San Bruno, CA. Included in these recommendations was NTSB 
Safety Recommendation P-11-9, which suggested that PHMSA require 
operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines ``to ensure that their 
control room operators immediately and directly notify the 9-1-1 
emergency call center(s) for the communities and jurisdiction in which 
those pipelines are located when a possible rupture of any pipeline is 
indicated.'' Pipeline facility

[[Page 61827]]

operators should be proactive in notifying officials of possible 
incidents so that a suitable and timely response can be implemented.
    Finally, PHMSA is publishing this Advisory Bulletin to reiterate 
the importance of immediate dialogue between pipeline facility 
operators and PSAP staff when there is any indication of a pipeline 
rupture or other emergency condition which may have an adverse impact 
on public safety or the environment. The local PSAP may have 
information pertaining to the event that is not available to the 
pipeline facility operator. For example, a pipeline facility operator 
may be aware of a sudden pressure drop on their pipeline, but not be 
able to pinpoint the location of a release. The local PSAP may have 
received 9-1-1 calls concerning a strong odor of crude oil or fuel, or 
of a large fire, but not be aware a pipeline facility is involved. The 
early exchange and coordination of information can benefit both 
pipeline facility operators and emergency responders so that a more 
rapid and effective response to the event is achieved.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2012-09)

    To: Operators of Gas, Hazardous Liquid, and Liquefied Natural Gas 
Pipeline Facilities
    Subject: Communication During Emergency Situations
    Advisory: To further enhance the Department's safety efforts, PHMSA 
is issuing this Advisory Bulletin regarding communication between 
pipeline facility operators and the PSAP which serves the local 
emergency responders during pipeline facility emergencies in 
communities along the pipeline route.
    To ensure a prompt, effective, and coordinated response to any type 
of emergency involving a pipeline facility, pipeline facility operators 
are required to maintain an informed relationship with emergency 
responders in their jurisdiction in accordance with Sec. Sec.  192.615, 
193.2509 and 195.402.
    PHMSA reminds pipeline facility operators of these requirements 
and, in particular, the need to notify the PSAP(s), commonly referred 
to as 9-1-1 emergency call centers, or the local equivalent, of 
indications of a pipeline facility emergency. Such indications may 
include an unexpected drop in pressure, unanticipated loss of 
supervisory control and data acquisition communications, or reports 
from field personnel. PHMSA recommends that pipeline facility operators 
immediately contact the PSAP for the communities and jurisdictions in 
which those indications occur, to notify local responders and implement 
a coordinated emergency response. These notifications to the PSAP(s) 
are typically made from pipeline facility control rooms and dispatch 
centers; pipeline facility operators should ensure the call to the 
appropriate PSAP is made promptly, and to as many jurisdictions as is 
necessary. A direct-inbound ten-digit number must be used for the 
specific PSAP, since a call to 9-1-1 would be routed only to the PSAP 
for the caller's location.
    Further, PHMSA believes that immediate contact and conversation 
should be established between pipeline facility operators and PSAP 
staff when there is any indication of a pipeline rupture or other 
emergency condition which may have a potential adverse impact on public 
safety or the environment. PHMSA recommends that pipeline facility 
operators inquire of the PSAP(s) if there are any other reported 
indicators of possible pipeline emergencies such as odors, unexplained 
noises, product releases, explosions, fires, etc., as these reports may 
not have been linked to a possible pipeline incident by the callers 
contacting the 9-1-1 emergency call center. This early coordination 
will facilitate the timely and effective implementation of the pipeline 
facility operator's emergency response plan and coordinated response 
with local public safety officials.

Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2012-24975 Filed 10-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

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