Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

This notice is to advise interested persons that on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, PHMSA will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 46th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held December 1 to December 9, 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments relative to potential new work items, which may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda. Also, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will conduct a public meeting (see Docket No. OSHA-H022k-2006-0062) to discuss proposals in preparation for the 28th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) to be held December 9 to December 11, 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland. Time and Location: Both meetings will be held at the DOT Headquarters Conference Center, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. PHMSA public meeting: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon EST, Conference Room 4. OSHA public meeting: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, Conference Room 4. Advanced Meeting Registration: The DOT requests that attendees pre- register for these meetings by completing the form at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/9WWZWR2. Attendees may use the same form to pre- register for both the PHMSA and the OSHA meetings. Failure to pre- register may delay your access to the DOT Headquarters building. If participants are attending in person, arrive early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to the building. Conference call-in and ``live meeting'' capability will be provided for both meetings. Specific information on call-in and live meeting access will be posted when available at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/ hazmat/regs/international and at https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is holding a public meeting to discuss a National Pipeline Mapping System Information Collection revision that PHMSA proposed in a Federal Register notice on July 30, 2014.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on two information collections that will be expiring on May 31, 2015. PHMSA will request an extension with no change for the information collections identified by OMB control numbers 2137-0049 and 2137-0594.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

PHMSA published Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-10 in the Federal Register on December 5, 2012, to remind operators of gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities of their responsibilities under current regulations to perform evaluations of their Integrity Management (IM) programs using meaningful performance metrics. PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to expand that reminder by informing owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines that PHMSA has developed guidance on the elements and characteristics of a mature program evaluation process that uses meaningful metrics.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given of the actions on special permits applications in (August to August 2014). The mode of transportation involved are identified by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft Application numbers prefixed by the letters EE represent applications for Emergency Special Permits. It should be noted that some of the sections cited were those in effect at the time certain special permits were issued.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA is inviting comments on an information collection under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control No. 2137-0586 entitled ``Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants.'' In a previous 60-Day Notice published under Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0241, Notice No. 13-18, in the Federal Register on December 4, 2013 [78 FR 72972], PHMSA invited comments on its intent to collect additional information from Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grantees on the ultimate recipients of HMEP grants. PHMSA is requesting the additional information to respond to a statutory requirement in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141, July 6, 2012) (MAP-21) to submit an annual report to Congress that identifies the ultimate recipients of HMEP grants and contains a detailed accounting and description of each grant expenditure by each grant recipient, including the amount of, and purpose for, each expenditure. This 30-Day Notice acknowledges comments received regarding the 60-Day Notice and provides details on the information PHMSA will be collecting in order to comply with MAP-21.

This document clarifies PHMSA's policy regarding applications for classification approval of Display Aerial Shells with Attachments, provided they conform to the acceptable criteria described in this guidance, and otherwise comply with APA Standard 87-1 requirements. Although the APA Standard 87-1 provides requirements for Display Aerial Shells, it does not specifically address Display Aerial Shells with Attachments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA published a notice with request for comments in the Federal Register on June 26, 2014; 79 FR 36378 on an information collection under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control No. 2137-0622, titled ``Pipeline Safety: Public Awareness Program.'' PHMSA received no comments. PHMSA is now forwarding the information collection request to OMB and providing an additional 30 days for comments.

PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to alert operators of hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines of the potential significant impact flow reversals, product changes and conversion to service may have on the integrity of a pipeline. Failures on natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines have occurred after these operational changes. This advisory bulletin describes specific notification requirements and general operating and maintenance (O&M) and integrity management actions regarding flow reversals, product changes and conversion to service. This advisory bulletin also recommends additional actions operators should take when these operational changes are made including the submission of a comprehensive written plan to the appropriate PHMSA regional office regarding these changes prior to implementation.

PHMSA is correcting language it issued in a notice of proposed rulemaking under this Docket on August 12, 2014, that proposes to include the standard operating procedures and criteria used to evaluate applications for special permits and approvals under the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The NPRM addresses certain matters identified in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Act of 2012 related to these procedures as they are executed by PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety's Approvals and Permits Division. This correction adds language to clarify that special permit and approval applications that undergo review by an Operating Administration (OA) will complete this review before they undergo an automated review. This proposed correction also clarifies that an OA review, depending on its completeness, may negate the need for the automated review.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given of the actions on special permits applications in (July to July 2014). The mode of transportation involved are identified by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft. Application numbers prefixed by the letters EE represent applications for Emergency Special Permits. It should be noted that some of the sections cited were those in effect at the time certain special permits were issued.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These appEcations have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. These revisions are necessary to harmonize the Hazardous Materials Regulations with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsModel Regulations and subsequently address three petitions for rulemaking.

PHMSA is proposing to address certain matters identified in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Act of 2012 related to the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety's Approvals and Permits Division. Specifically, we propose to revise the regulations to include the standard operating procedures and criteria used to evaluate applications for special permits and approvals. These proposed amendments do not change previously established special permit and approval policies. This rulemaking also proposes to provide clarity regarding what conditions need to be satisfied to promote completeness of the applications submitted. An application that contains the required information reduces processing delays that result from rejection, and further facilitates the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce while maintaining an appropriate level of safety.

PHMSA is amending its hazardous materials procedural regulations. Specifically, this final rule prohibits a person who fails to pay a civil penalty as ordered, or fails to abide by a payment agreement, from performing activities regulated by the Hazardous Materials Regulations until payment is made.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA or we), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is proposing: new operational requirements for certain trains transporting a large volume of Class 3 flammable liquids; improvements in tank car standards; and revision of the general requirements for offerors to ensure proper classification and characterization of mined gases and liquids. These proposed requirements are designed to lessen the frequency and consequences of train accidents/incidents (train accidents) involving certain trains transporting a large volume of flammable liquids. The growing reliance on trains to transport large volumes of flammable liquids poses a significant risk to life, property, and the environment. These significant risks have been highlighted by the recent instances of trains carrying crude oil that derailed in Casselton, North Dakota; Aliceville, Alabama; and Lac- M[eacute]gantic, Quebec, Canada. The proposed changes also address National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety recommendations on the accurate classification and characterization of such commodities, enhanced tank car construction, and rail routing.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites public comments on our intent to request the Office of Management and Budget's approval to revise and renew an information collection currently under OMB Control Number 2137-0596 titled: ``National Pipeline Mapping System Program.'' The collection currently requires operators to submit geospatial data, attributes, metadata, public contact information and a transmittal letter to the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) program. The proposed revisions will require operators to submit additional information to the NPMS.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g., to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

Gas distribution pipeline operators were required to have prepared and implemented distribution integrity management programs (DIMP) by August 2, 2011. Federal and state regulators have been inspecting those programs and their implementation since that date. This webinar will be an opportunity for the regulators to share their experience with implementation topics with the public and the regulated community. The webinar will also include discussion of analyses of the 2013 submissions of data concerning mechanical fitting failures in gas distribution pipelines.