Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee, 64518-64520 [2023-20159]

Download as PDF ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 64518 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 / Notices only moves freight in switching and terminal operations at a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. To maintain operations during a project to begin in June 2024, URR requests to downgrade the track section to non-signaled storage track. In its petition, URR notes that ‘‘safety of operations will not be affected’’ by the changes. A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov. Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request. All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number and may be submitted at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Communications received by November 20, 2023 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. 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), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2023–20204 Filed 9–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Sep 18, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Safety Advisory 23–1 Bus-to-Person Collisions Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory. AGENCY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing Safety Advisory 23–1 to encourage agencies that provide bus service to consider mitigation strategies to reduce bus-toperson collisions. This safety advisory provides guidance on identifying specific hazards that may cause or contribute to bus-to-person collisions, completing a safety risk assessment, and developing mitigations to address the assessed safety risks for transit agencies. FTA’s Safety Advisory 23–1 ‘‘Bus-toPerson Collisions’’ is available on the agency’s public website (https:// www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-andguidance/safety/fta-safety-advisories). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph DeLorenzo, Associate Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight, FTA, telephone (202) 366– 1783 or Joseph.DeLorenzo@dot.gov. SUMMARY: (Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5329; 49 CFR 1.91 and 670.29) Nuria I. Fernandez, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2023–20259 Filed 9–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No. PHMSA–2023–0061] Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of advisory committee meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) to discuss the notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) titled ‘‘Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair’’ and ‘‘Class Location Change Requirements.’’ DATES: PHMSA will hold a public meeting from November 27, 2023, to December 1, 2023. The GPAC will meet each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 discuss the NPRMs. However, the meeting may end early if the GPAC completes its review of the NPRMs. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to register no later than November 20, 2023. PHMSA requests that individuals who require accommodations because of a disability notify Tewabe Asebe by email at tewabe.asebe@dot.gov at least five days prior to the meeting. Public comments on the proceedings of the GPAC meeting must be submitted by January 5, 2024. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in person at the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. The agenda and any additional information, including information on how to participate in the meeting, will be published on the meeting website at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/ MtgHome.mtg?mtg=167. Presentations will be available on the meeting website and at https://www.regulations.gov/ in docket number PHMSA–2023–0061 no later than 30 days following the meeting. You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. PHMSA–2023– 0061, by any of the following methods: • Web: https://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12– 140, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. • Instructions: Identify Docket No. PHMSA–2023–0061 at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, submit two copies. Internet users may submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. If you would like confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard labeled ‘‘Comments on PHMSA–2023– 0061.’’ The docket clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via U.S. mail. • Note: All comments received will be posted without edits to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading for more information. Anyone can use the site to search all comments by the name of the E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 / Notices submitting individual or, if the comment was submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc., the name of the signing individual. Therefore, please review the complete DOT Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register at 65 FR 19477 or the Privacy Notice at https:// www.regulations.gov before submitting comments. • Privacy Act Statement: DOT may solicit comments from the public regarding certain general notices. 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/ALL14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. • Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments in response to this notice contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask PHMSA to provide confidential treatment to information you give to the Agency by taking the following steps: (1) mark each page of the original document submission containing CBI as ‘‘Confidential;’’ (2) send PHMSA a copy of the original document with the CBI deleted along with the original, unaltered document; and (3) explain why the information you are submitting is CBI. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Tewabe Asebe, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Submission containing CBI can also be emailed to Tewabe Asebe by encrypted email at tewabe.asebe@ dot.gov. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket. • Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. Alternatively, this information is available by visiting DOT at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Sep 18, 2023 Jkt 259001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tewabe Asebe, Office of Pipeline Safety, by phone at 202–366–5523 or by email at tewabe.asebe@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Meeting Agenda The GPAC will meet from November 27, 2023, to December 1, 2023, to discuss the ‘‘Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair’’ NPRM that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2023, (88 FR 31890),1 and the ‘‘Class Location Change Requirements’’ NPRM that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2020, (85 FR 65142).2 The GPAC will review the NPRMs and their associated regulatory analyses, including, but not limited to, the cost-benefit and risk assessment analyses; regulatory impact analyses; environmental assessments; and other materials pertaining to the NPRMs provided in the respective public dockets. While the meeting is scheduled for five days, the GPAC may complete its review of the proposed rules in less time. PHMSA will post additional details on the meeting website in advance of the meeting as they become available. In the ‘‘Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair’’ NPRM, PHMSA proposes to make regulatory amendments that implement congressional mandates in the ‘‘Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020’’ to reduce methane emissions from new and existing gas transmission pipelines, distribution pipelines, regulated (Types A, B, C, and offshore) gas gathering pipelines, underground natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities. Among the proposed amendments for Part 192regulated gas pipelines are strengthened leakage survey and patrolling requirements; performance standards for advanced leak detection programs; leak grading and repair criteria with mandatory repair timelines; requirements for mitigation of emissions from blowdowns; pressure relief device design, configuration, and maintenance requirements; and clarified requirements for investigating failures. Finally, this NPRM proposes to expand reporting requirements for operators of all gas pipeline facilities within DOT’s jurisdiction, including underground natural gas storage facilities and liquefied natural gas facilities. PHMSA 1 The public docket for the Leak Detection and Repair NPMR can be found at https:// regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA–2021–0039. 2 The public docket for the Class Location Change Requirements Notice can be found at https:// regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA–2017–00151. PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64519 requested public comments with a submission deadline of August 16, 2023.3 PHMSA received approximately 35,000 comments on the NPRM. In the ‘‘Class Location Change Requirements’’ NPRM, PHMSA proposes to revise the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to amend the requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a change in class location. Under the existing regulations, pipeline segments located in areas where the population density has significantly increased must perform one of the following actions: reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment; pressure test the pipeline segment to higher standards; or replace the pipeline segment. This proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators could use— based on implementation of integrity management principles and pipe eligibility criteria—to manage certain pipeline segments where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class 3 location. Through required periodic assessments, repair criteria, and other extra preventive and mitigative measures, PHMSA expects this alternative approach will provide long-term safety benefits consistent with the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing cost savings for pipeline operators. PHMSA requested public comments with a submission deadline of December 14, 2020.4 PHMSA received 14 comments on the NPRM. Following the GPAC meeting, PHMSA will evaluate the GPAC’s recommendations and publish final rules that address the comments received and relevant information from the GPAC meeting report. II. Background The GPAC is a statutorily mandated advisory committee that provides PHMSA and the Secretary of Transportation with recommendations on proposed standards for the transportation of gas by pipeline. The committee was established in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 60115 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92–463) to review PHMSA’s regulatory initiatives and determine their technical feasibility, reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability. The committee consists of 15 members, with membership evenly divided among federal and state governments, regulated industry, and the general public. 3 88 4 85 E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM FR 42284. FR 65142 19SEN1 64520 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 / Notices III. Public Participation The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public who wish to attend must register on the meeting website and include their names and affiliations. PHMSA will provide members of the public reasonable opportunity to make a statement during this meeting. Additionally, PHMSA will record the meeting and post a record to the public docket. PHMSA is committed to providing all participants with equal access to this meeting. Public comments on the proceedings of the GPAC meeting must be submitted by January 5, 2024. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Tewabe Asebe by phone at 202–366–5523 or by email at tewabe.asebe@dot.gov. PHMSA is not always able to publish a notice in the Federal Register quickly enough to provide timely notice regarding last-minute issues that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting. Therefore, individuals should check the meeting website or contact Tewabe Asebe regarding any possible changes. Issued in Washington, DC, on September 13, 2023, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97. Massoud Tahamtani, Deputy Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2023–20159 Filed 9–18–23; 8:45 am] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 BILLING CODE 4910–60–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Sep 18, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Office of Foreign Assets Control Electronic Availability Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions The SDN List and additional information concerning OFAC sanctions programs are available on OFAC’s website (www.treasury.gov/ofac). Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of four entities that have been placed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) whose property and interests in property have been blocked pending investigation. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these entities are blocked pending investigation, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for applicable date(s). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OFAC: Bradley Smith, Director, tel.: 202–622–2490; Associate Director for Global Targeting, tel.: 202–622–2420; Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202–622–2480; Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, tel.: 202–622–4855; or the Assistant Director for Sanctions Compliance & Evaluation, tel.: 202–622– 2490. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice of OFAC Actions On September 14, 2023, pursuant to section 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1702, Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021, ‘‘Blocking Property With Respect to Specified Harmful Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation,’’ 86 FR 20249, 3 CFR, 2021 Comp., p. 542 (Apr. 15, 2021), and section 587.201 of the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 587 (the ‘‘Regulations’’), OFAC blocked pending investigation the property and interests in property of the following four entities whose names will be placed on the SDN List with the tag [BPI–RUSSIA– EO14024] in accordance with Note 2 to § 587.201 of the Regulations. BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64518-64520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20159]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2023-0061]


Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of advisory committee meeting.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Gas Pipeline 
Advisory Committee (GPAC) to discuss the notices of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRMs) titled ``Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair'' and ``Class 
Location Change Requirements.''

DATES: PHMSA will hold a public meeting from November 27, 2023, to 
December 1, 2023. The GPAC will meet each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
ET to discuss the NPRMs. However, the meeting may end early if the GPAC 
completes its review of the NPRMs. Members of the public who wish to 
attend are asked to register no later than November 20, 2023. PHMSA 
requests that individuals who require accommodations because of a 
disability notify Tewabe Asebe by email at [email protected] at 
least five days prior to the meeting. Public comments on the 
proceedings of the GPAC meeting must be submitted by January 5, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in person at the Westin Crystal 
City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. The agenda and any 
additional information, including information on how to participate in 
the meeting, will be published on the meeting website at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=167. Presentations will 
be available on the meeting website and at https://www.regulations.gov/ 
in docket number PHMSA-2023-0061 no later than 30 days following the 
meeting. You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. PHMSA-2023-
0061, by any of the following methods:
     Web: https://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the 
public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any 
agency. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays.
     Instructions: Identify Docket No. PHMSA-2023-0061 at the 
beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, submit 
two copies. Internet users may submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. If you would like confirmation that PHMSA received 
your comments, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard labeled 
``Comments on PHMSA-2023-0061.'' The docket clerk will date stamp the 
postcard prior to returning it to you via U.S. mail.
     Note: All comments received will be posted without edits 
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading for more information. 
Anyone can use the site to search all comments by the name of the

[[Page 64519]]

submitting individual or, if the comment was submitted on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc., the name of the signing 
individual. Therefore, please review the complete DOT Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register at 65 FR 19477 or the Privacy Notice 
at https://www.regulations.gov before submitting comments.
     Privacy Act Statement: DOT may solicit comments from the 
public regarding certain general notices. 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), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
     Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments in response to this notice contain 
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as 
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or 
responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate 
the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask 
PHMSA to provide confidential treatment to information you give to the 
Agency by taking the following steps: (1) mark each page of the 
original document submission containing CBI as ``Confidential;'' (2) 
send PHMSA a copy of the original document with the CBI deleted along 
with the original, unaltered document; and (3) explain why the 
information you are submitting is CBI. Submissions containing CBI 
should be sent to Tewabe Asebe, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Submission containing 
CBI can also be emailed to Tewabe Asebe by encrypted email at 
[email protected]. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket.
     Docket: For access to the docket or to read background 
documents or comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for accessing the dockets. Alternatively, this 
information is available by visiting DOT at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tewabe Asebe, Office of Pipeline 
Safety, by phone at 202-366-5523 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Meeting Agenda

    The GPAC will meet from November 27, 2023, to December 1, 2023, to 
discuss the ``Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair'' NPRM that PHMSA 
published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2023, (88 FR 31890),\1\ 
and the ``Class Location Change Requirements'' NPRM that PHMSA 
published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2020, (85 FR 
65142).\2\ The GPAC will review the NPRMs and their associated 
regulatory analyses, including, but not limited to, the cost-benefit 
and risk assessment analyses; regulatory impact analyses; environmental 
assessments; and other materials pertaining to the NPRMs provided in 
the respective public dockets. While the meeting is scheduled for five 
days, the GPAC may complete its review of the proposed rules in less 
time. PHMSA will post additional details on the meeting website in 
advance of the meeting as they become available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The public docket for the Leak Detection and Repair NPMR can 
be found at https://regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA-2021-0039.
    \2\ The public docket for the Class Location Change Requirements 
Notice can be found at https://regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA-
2017-00151.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the ``Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair'' NPRM, PHMSA 
proposes to make regulatory amendments that implement congressional 
mandates in the ``Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and 
Enhancing Safety Act of 2020'' to reduce methane emissions from new and 
existing gas transmission pipelines, distribution pipelines, regulated 
(Types A, B, C, and offshore) gas gathering pipelines, underground 
natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities. 
Among the proposed amendments for Part 192-regulated gas pipelines are 
strengthened leakage survey and patrolling requirements; performance 
standards for advanced leak detection programs; leak grading and repair 
criteria with mandatory repair timelines; requirements for mitigation 
of emissions from blowdowns; pressure relief device design, 
configuration, and maintenance requirements; and clarified requirements 
for investigating failures. Finally, this NPRM proposes to expand 
reporting requirements for operators of all gas pipeline facilities 
within DOT's jurisdiction, including underground natural gas storage 
facilities and liquefied natural gas facilities. PHMSA requested public 
comments with a submission deadline of August 16, 2023.\3\ PHMSA 
received approximately 35,000 comments on the NPRM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 88 FR 42284.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the ``Class Location Change Requirements'' NPRM, PHMSA proposes 
to revise the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to amend the 
requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a 
change in class location. Under the existing regulations, pipeline 
segments located in areas where the population density has 
significantly increased must perform one of the following actions: 
reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment; pressure test the pipeline 
segment to higher standards; or replace the pipeline segment. This 
proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators 
could use--based on implementation of integrity management principles 
and pipe eligibility criteria--to manage certain pipeline segments 
where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class 
3 location. Through required periodic assessments, repair criteria, and 
other extra preventive and mitigative measures, PHMSA expects this 
alternative approach will provide long-term safety benefits consistent 
with the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing 
cost savings for pipeline operators. PHMSA requested public comments 
with a submission deadline of December 14, 2020.\4\ PHMSA received 14 
comments on the NPRM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 85 FR 65142
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following the GPAC meeting, PHMSA will evaluate the GPAC's 
recommendations and publish final rules that address the comments 
received and relevant information from the GPAC meeting report.

II. Background

    The GPAC is a statutorily mandated advisory committee that provides 
PHMSA and the Secretary of Transportation with recommendations on 
proposed standards for the transportation of gas by pipeline. The 
committee was established in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 60115 and the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463) to review 
PHMSA's regulatory initiatives and determine their technical 
feasibility, reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability. 
The committee consists of 15 members, with membership evenly divided 
among federal and state governments, regulated industry, and the 
general public.

[[Page 64520]]

III. Public Participation

    The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public who 
wish to attend must register on the meeting website and include their 
names and affiliations. PHMSA will provide members of the public 
reasonable opportunity to make a statement during this meeting. 
Additionally, PHMSA will record the meeting and post a record to the 
public docket. PHMSA is committed to providing all participants with 
equal access to this meeting. Public comments on the proceedings of the 
GPAC meeting must be submitted by January 5, 2024. If you need an 
accommodation due to a disability, please contact Tewabe Asebe by phone 
at 202-366-5523 or by email at [email protected].
    PHMSA is not always able to publish a notice in the Federal 
Register quickly enough to provide timely notice regarding last-minute 
issues that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting. 
Therefore, individuals should check the meeting website or contact 
Tewabe Asebe regarding any possible changes.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 13, 2023, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Massoud Tahamtani,
Deputy Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-20159 Filed 9-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
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