Pipeline Safety: Guidance on the Extension of the 7-year Integrity Management Reassessment Interval by 6 Months, 57388-57389 [2018-24774]

Download as PDF 57388 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / Proposed Rules Each commenter will have 5 minutes to provide oral testimony. The EPA encourages commenters to provide the EPA with a copy of their oral testimony electronically (via email) or in hard copy form. The EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations but will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing. Commenters should notify Virginia Hunt if there are special needs related to providing comments at the hearing. Verbatim transcripts of the hearing and written statements will be included in the docket for the rulemaking. Please note that any updates made to any aspect of the hearing will be posted online at https://www.epa.gov/ stationary-sources-air-pollution/forms/ public-hearing-proposal-adopt-subpartba-requirements. While the EPA expects the hearing to go forward as set forth above, please monitor our website or contact Virginia Hunt at (919) 541–0832 or hunt.virginia@epa.gov to determine if there are any updates. The EPA does not intend to publish a document in the Federal Register announcing updates. The EPA will not provide audiovisual equipment for presentations unless we receive special requests in advance. Commenters should notify Virginia Hunt when they pre-register to speak that they will need specific equipment. If you require the service of a translator or special accommodations such as audio description, please pre-register for the hearing and describe your needs by November 21, 2018. We may not be able to arrange accommodations without advanced notice. Dated: November 9, 2018. Panagiotis Tsirigotis, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. [FR Doc. 2018–24964 Filed 11–14–18; 8:45 am] khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with PROPOSAL BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:33 Nov 14, 2018 Jkt 247001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 192 [Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0073] Pipeline Safety: Guidance on the Extension of the 7-year Integrity Management Reassessment Interval by 6 Months Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: PHMSA is publishing this document to seek public comments on frequently asked questions (FAQs) developed to provide guidance on what constitutes sufficient justification for an operator to request a 6-month extension to a gas pipeline’s 7-year integrity management reassessment interval. This guidance, which consists of one revised and two new FAQs, will implement authority granted by Congress in Section 5(e) of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (2011 Act). DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 17, 2018. ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0073 and may be submitted in the following ways: E-gov website: https:// www.regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register document issued by any agency. Fax: (202) 493–2251. Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on the ground level of the DOT’s West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), except Federal holidays. Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA–2018–0073, at the beginning of your comments. Please note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Anyone may search the electronic form of comments received for PHMSA dockets. You may review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement, 65 FR 19476, which was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time. You may also visit Room W12–140 on the ground level of the DOT’s West Building, located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, except Federal holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your written comments, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the following statement: ‘‘Comments on PHMSA–2018–0073.’’ The docket clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via the mail. Please note that, due to delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington, DC, we recommend that you consider an alternative method (internet, fax, or professional delivery service) for submitting comments to the docket and ensuring their timely delivery to the DOT. Note: Privacy Act Statement: the DOT may solicit comments from the public regarding certain general notices. The DOT posts these comments without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS). This document can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Ms. Nancy White by telephone at 202–366–1419, or email at nancy.white@dot.gov. Technical: Mr. Kenneth Lee by telephone at 202–366–2694, or email at kenneth.lee@dot.gov. Congress made several amendments to the pipeline safety statutes in the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (the 2011 Act). The Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) has delegated to PHMSA the responsibility for implementing the changes resulting from the 2011 Act. Section 5, ‘‘Integrity Management,’’ paragraph (e), of the 2011 Act made a technical correction to the Federal pipeline safety statutes regarding the performance of integrity management assessments. As part of an operator’s integrity management program, operators must assess pipelines in highconsequence areas for defects and anomalies at a minimum of once every 7 years. The technical correction clarified that the Secretary may extend such deadlines by an additional 6 months if the operator submits written notice to the Secretary with sufficient SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\15NOP1.SGM 15NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / Proposed Rules khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with PROPOSAL justification of the need for the extension. To implement this authority, PHMSA is issuing guidance on what constitutes sufficient justification to extend a gas pipeline operator’s 7-year integrity management reassessment interval by up to 6 months if the operator submits written notice. PHMSA invites interested individuals to participate by reviewing the FAQs provided below and submitting written comments, data, or other information. Please include any comments on potential safety and environmental impacts that may result from issuance of the FAQs. Before finalizing the FAQs, PHMSA will evaluate all comments received on or before the comment closing date. PHMSA will consider all relevant comments we receive prior to the deadline when making changes to the final FAQs. Comments received after the closing date will be evaluated to the extent practicable. Once finalized, PHMSA’s FAQs will be posted on PHMSA’s public website at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/ faqs.htm: Guidance on the Extension of the 7year Integrity Management Reassessment Interval by 6 Months (FAQs): • NEW FAQ–281. How do I extend the assessment schedule beyond 7 years? Notify PHMSA, in accordance with 49 CFR 192.949, of the need for an extension, which may not exceed 6 months. The notification must be made 180 days prior to end of the 7-year assessment date and include sufficient information to justify the extension. • NEW FAQ–282. What constitutes sufficient information to justify extension of the assessment interval? Documentation is required to comply with 49 CFR 192.943 and include: —An explanation as to why the deadline could not be met and how it will not compromise safety, and —Identification of any additional actions necessary to ensure public safety during the extension time period. • REVISED FAQ–207. Table 3 of ASME/ANSI B31.8S indicates that reassessment intervals must be 5 years for some instances in which test pressure was higher than would be required by subpart J. If I conduct my assessments in accordance with Subpart J, must I reassess more frequently than once every 7 years? Section 192.939(a)(1) specifies requirements for establishing reassessment intervals. Two options are allowed: (i) Basing the interval on VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:33 Nov 14, 2018 Jkt 247001 identified threats, assessment results, data integration, and risk analysis, or (ii) using the intervals specified in Table 3 of ASME/ANSI B31.8S. An operator using the former option (§ 192.939(a)(1)(i)) could establish intervals longer than those in Table 3. The intervals that can be established by either method are limited to the maximum intervals in the table in § 192.939. Pressure tests used as integrity management assessments must meet the requirements of Subpart J, including required test pressures. Higher test pressures must be used to justify extended reassessment intervals (§ 192.937(c)(2)). As used here ‘‘extended reassessment intervals’’ refers to any interval longer than 7 years as required by §§ 192.937(a) and 192.939(a) and (b). Operators conducting assessments by pressure testing and who use test pressures meeting Subpart J requirements may establish a reassessment interval of 7 years, unless their analysis under § 192.939(a)(i) indicates a need for a shorter interval. This is true even if Table 3 would lead to a shorter interval. Operators who use Table 3 test pressures may establish reassessment intervals in accordance with Table 3 up to the maximums listed in the table in § 192.939, again unless their analysis under § 192.939(a)(i) indicates a need for a shorter interval. Operators who establish intervals longer than 7 years must conduct a confirmatory direct assessment within the 7-year period. (For segments operating at less than 30% specified maximum yield strength, a low-stress reassessment per § 192.941 may be conducted in lieu of confirmatory direct assessment—see § 192.939(b)(1)). PHMSA may extend the 7-year interval for an additional 6 months if the operator submits written notice that includes sufficient justification regarding the need for an extension (Reference FAQ–281 and 282). Issued in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2018, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97. Alan K. Mayberry, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2018–24774 Filed 11–14–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 57389 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 180906820–8820–01] RIN 0648–BI48 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2019 Specifications National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes 2019 specifications for the summer flounder and black sea bass fisheries and maintains previously established 2019 specifications for the scup fishery. Additionally, this action proposes to reopen the February 2018 black sea bass recreational fishery and to adjust to the current commercial incidental possession limit for scup. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan require us to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. This action is intended to inform the public of the proposed specifications and management measures for the start of the 2019 fishing year for these three species. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before November 30, 2018. ADDRESSES: An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for this action that describes the proposed measures and other considered alternatives, and provides an analysis of the impacts of the proposed measures and alternatives. Copies of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 2019 Specifications, including the EA, are available on request from Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901. These documents are also accessible via the internet at https://www.mafmc.org/s/ SFSBSB_2019_specs_EA.pdf. You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA–NMFS– 2018–0110, by either of the following methods: DATES: E:\FR\FM\15NOP1.SGM 15NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57388-57389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24774]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0073]


Pipeline Safety: Guidance on the Extension of the 7-year 
Integrity Management Reassessment Interval by 6 Months

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

ACTION: Request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this document to seek public comments on 
frequently asked questions (FAQs) developed to provide guidance on what 
constitutes sufficient justification for an operator to request a 6-
month extension to a gas pipeline's 7-year integrity management 
reassessment interval. This guidance, which consists of one revised and 
two new FAQs, will implement authority granted by Congress in Section 
5(e) of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act 
of 2011 (2011 Act).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0073 and may 
be submitted in the following ways:
    E-gov website: https://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the 
public to enter comments on any Federal Register document issued by any 
agency.
    Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation 
(DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground level of the DOT's West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, Monday 
through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 
except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA-2018-0073, at the 
beginning of your comments. Please note that all comments received will 
be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Anyone may search the electronic form of 
comments received for PHMSA dockets. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement, 65 FR 19476, which was published in the Federal 
Register on April 11, 2000.
    Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or 
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time. You may also 
visit Room W12-140 on the ground level of the DOT's West Building, 
located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, Monday 
through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, except Federal holidays. 
If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your written 
comments, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the 
following statement: ``Comments on PHMSA-2018-0073.'' The docket clerk 
will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via the mail. 
Please note that, due to delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal 
offices in Washington, DC, we recommend that you consider an 
alternative method (internet, fax, or professional delivery service) 
for submitting comments to the docket and ensuring their timely 
delivery to the DOT.
    Note: Privacy Act Statement: the DOT may solicit comments from the 
public regarding certain general notices. The DOT posts these comments 
without edit, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS). This document can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    General: Ms. Nancy White by telephone at 202-366-1419, or email at 
[email protected].
    Technical: Mr. Kenneth Lee by telephone at 202-366-2694, or email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Congress made several amendments to the 
pipeline safety statutes in the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, 
and Job Creation Act of 2011 (the 2011 Act). The Secretary of 
Transportation (the Secretary) has delegated to PHMSA the 
responsibility for implementing the changes resulting from the 2011 
Act. Section 5, ``Integrity Management,'' paragraph (e), of the 2011 
Act made a technical correction to the Federal pipeline safety statutes 
regarding the performance of integrity management assessments. As part 
of an operator's integrity management program, operators must assess 
pipelines in high-consequence areas for defects and anomalies at a 
minimum of once every 7 years. The technical correction clarified that 
the Secretary may extend such deadlines by an additional 6 months if 
the operator submits written notice to the Secretary with sufficient

[[Page 57389]]

justification of the need for the extension.
    To implement this authority, PHMSA is issuing guidance on what 
constitutes sufficient justification to extend a gas pipeline 
operator's 7-year integrity management reassessment interval by up to 6 
months if the operator submits written notice. PHMSA invites interested 
individuals to participate by reviewing the FAQs provided below and 
submitting written comments, data, or other information. Please include 
any comments on potential safety and environmental impacts that may 
result from issuance of the FAQs. Before finalizing the FAQs, PHMSA 
will evaluate all comments received on or before the comment closing 
date. PHMSA will consider all relevant comments we receive prior to the 
deadline when making changes to the final FAQs. Comments received after 
the closing date will be evaluated to the extent practicable.
    Once finalized, PHMSA's FAQs will be posted on PHMSA's public 
website at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/faqs.htm:
    Guidance on the Extension of the 7-year Integrity Management 
Reassessment Interval by 6 Months (FAQs):
     NEW FAQ-281. How do I extend the assessment schedule 
beyond 7 years?
    Notify PHMSA, in accordance with 49 CFR 192.949, of the need for an 
extension, which may not exceed 6 months. The notification must be made 
180 days prior to end of the 7-year assessment date and include 
sufficient information to justify the extension.
     NEW FAQ-282. What constitutes sufficient information to 
justify extension of the assessment interval?
    Documentation is required to comply with 49 CFR 192.943 and 
include:

--An explanation as to why the deadline could not be met and how it 
will not compromise safety, and
--Identification of any additional actions necessary to ensure public 
safety during the extension time period.

     REVISED FAQ-207. Table 3 of ASME/ANSI B31.8S indicates 
that reassessment intervals must be 5 years for some instances in which 
test pressure was higher than would be required by subpart J. If I 
conduct my assessments in accordance with Subpart J, must I reassess 
more frequently than once every 7 years?
    Section 192.939(a)(1) specifies requirements for establishing 
reassessment intervals. Two options are allowed: (i) Basing the 
interval on identified threats, assessment results, data integration, 
and risk analysis, or (ii) using the intervals specified in Table 3 of 
ASME/ANSI B31.8S. An operator using the former option (Sec.  
192.939(a)(1)(i)) could establish intervals longer than those in Table 
3. The intervals that can be established by either method are limited 
to the maximum intervals in the table in Sec.  192.939.
    Pressure tests used as integrity management assessments must meet 
the requirements of Subpart J, including required test pressures. 
Higher test pressures must be used to justify extended reassessment 
intervals (Sec.  192.937(c)(2)). As used here ``extended reassessment 
intervals'' refers to any interval longer than 7 years as required by 
Sec. Sec.  192.937(a) and 192.939(a) and (b).
    Operators conducting assessments by pressure testing and who use 
test pressures meeting Subpart J requirements may establish a 
reassessment interval of 7 years, unless their analysis under Sec.  
192.939(a)(i) indicates a need for a shorter interval. This is true 
even if Table 3 would lead to a shorter interval.
    Operators who use Table 3 test pressures may establish reassessment 
intervals in accordance with Table 3 up to the maximums listed in the 
table in Sec.  192.939, again unless their analysis under Sec.  
192.939(a)(i) indicates a need for a shorter interval. Operators who 
establish intervals longer than 7 years must conduct a confirmatory 
direct assessment within the 7-year period. (For segments operating at 
less than 30% specified maximum yield strength, a low-stress 
reassessment per Sec.  192.941 may be conducted in lieu of confirmatory 
direct assessment--see Sec.  192.939(b)(1)).
    PHMSA may extend the 7-year interval for an additional 6 months if 
the operator submits written notice that includes sufficient 
justification regarding the need for an extension (Reference FAQ-281 
and 282).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2018, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2018-24774 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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