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

PHMSA proposes to amend the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher stress levels. The result would be an increase of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) over that currently allowed in the regulations. This action would update regulatory standards to reflect improvements in pipeline materials, assessment tools, and maintenance practices, which together have significantly reduced the risk of failure in steel pipeline fabricated and installed over the last twenty-five years. The proposed rule would allow use of an established industry standard for the calculation of MAOP, but limit application of the standard to pipelines posing a low safety risk based on location, materials, and construction. The proposed rule would generate significant public benefits by boosting the potential capacity and efficiency of pipeline infrastructure, while promoting investment in improved pipe technology and rigorous life- cycle maintenance.

Recent events concerning failures of mechanical couplings and related appurtenances have raised concerns about safety in natural gas distribution systems. This notice updates information provided in Advisory Bulletin ADB-86-02 and advises owners and operators of gas pipelines to consider the potential failure modes for mechanical couplings used for joining and pressure sealing two pipes together. Failures can occur when there is inadequate restraint for the potential stresses on the two pipes, when the couplings are incorrectly installed or supported, or when the coupling components such as elastomers degrade over time. In addition, inadequate leak surveys which fail to identify leaks requiring immediate repair can lead to more serious incidents. This notice urges operators to review their procedures for using mechanical couplings and ensure coupling design, installation procedures, leak survey procedures, and personnel qualifications meet Federal requirements. Operators should work with Federal and State pipeline safety representatives, manufacturers, and industry partners to determine how best to resolve potential issues in their respective state or region. Documented repair or replacement programs may prove beneficial to all stakeholders involved.

This notice requests public participation in the OMB approval process for the renewal of five existing information collections; Recordkeeping and Accident Reporting for Hazardous Liquid Pipeline; Recordkeeping for Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities; Recordkeeping for Natural Gas Pipelines, Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification; and Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas for Operators with Less than 500 miles of Hazardous Liquid Pipeline. PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of these information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). With this notice as required by the PRA, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on whether the existing information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department.

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.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is granting Key West Pipeline Company (KWPC) a special permit waiving compliance from the Federal pipeline safety regulations that require a hazardous liquid pipeline operator to place a marker over the center of an exposed underwater pipeline segment that is less than 200 yards long and to bury an exposed underwater pipeline segment so that the top of the pipe is 36 inches below the underwater natural bottom for normal excavation or 18 inches for rock excavation. PHMSA finds that granting this special permit is not inconsistent with pipeline safety because the special permit analysis shows that the KWPC exposed underwater pipeline segment is in a restricted, shallow channel with surrounding water depths that would cause vessels to run aground before contacting the exposed underwater pipeline segment. Also, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has determined that placing a marker in the channel over the center of the exposed underwater pipeline segment would pose a hazard to navigation.

This notice requests public participation in the OMB approval process for the renewal of an existing Public Awareness Program information collection. PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). With this notice, as required by the PRA, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on whether the existing information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department.

PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to update, clarify or provide relief from certain requirements governing the classification, packaging, or labeling of hazardous materials transported in commerce. Among other provisions, PHMSA is adopting a new proper shipping name and identification number for fuel blends composed of ethanol and gasoline. In addition, PHMSA is updating references to consensus standards, revising and clarifying certain hazard communication requirements, and clarifying transportation requirements applicable to dry ice, detonator assemblies, and explosives. PHMSA is also expanding exceptions from regulation for small quantities of hazardous materials.

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.

PHMSA proposes to revise the Federal pipeline safety regulations to allow certain thermoplastic pipelines made from new Polyamide-11 (PA-11) pipe to be designed using a higher design factor and to raise the design pressure limit for the same pipelines. Design pressure calculations and design pressure limitations for all other thermoplastic pipes (PE-polyethylene, PB-polybutylene, PVC-polyvinyl chloride, etc.) would remain unchanged. These rule changes would allow pipeline operators to operate certain pipelines constructed of new PA- 11 pipe at higher operating pressures than currently allowed by the existing rules. This would allow pipeline operators to take advantage of the strength characteristics of PA-11 pipe.

The Federal pipeline safety laws allow a pipeline operator to request PHMSA to waive compliance with any part of the Federal pipeline safety regulations. We are publishing this notice to provide a list of requests we have received from pipeline operators seeking relief from compliance with certain pipeline safety regulations. This notice seeks public comment on these requests, including comments on any environmental impacts. In addition, this notice reminds the public that we have changed what we call a decision granting such a request to a special permit. At the conclusion of the comment period, PHMSA will evaluate each request individually to determine whether to grant a special permit or deny the request.

PHMSA will host a workshop to provide stakeholders with an update on public awareness programs for pipeline operators and to discuss the location of line markers. On the first day, PHMSA will share the findings from its review of written public awareness programs. The workshop will also include discussion of potential revisions to the first edition of the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162. Pipeline operators will also share some lessons learned from their implementation of public awareness programs based on RP 1162. On the second day, PHMSA will lead a discussion on the location of line markers.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is granting TransCanada Pipelines Limited (TransCanada) a special permit waiving compliance from the Federal pipeline safety regulation in 49 CFR 192.611 for two pipeline segments in the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, described below under ``Pipeline System Affected.'' The regulation requires natural gas pipeline operators to confirm or revise the maximum allowable operating pressure of a pipeline after a change in class location.

This notice announces public meetings of PHMSA's Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC). The Committees will meet in a joint session to discuss PHMSA's regulatory agenda and strategic plan. In conjunction with the advisory committee meetings, PHMSA will hold a public workshop. PHMSA will hold a half day public workshop to gather comments on the use of the special permit process to allow transmission pipeline operators to vary from the 7-year reassessment interval in integrity management programs. Specifically, special permits would allow operators to tailor their reassessment intervals, based on pipe specific threats. PHMSA will ask for feedback on criteria developed for use in special permits.

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 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on certain information collections pertaining to hazardous materials transportation for which PHMSA intends to request renewal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Information Collection Request (ICR) entitled ``Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants'' is being revised to implement a statutory provision authorizing PHMSA to request information from states concerning fees related to the transportation of hazardous materials. In addition, this ICR is being revised to include more detailed information from grantees to enable us to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program in meeting emergency response planning and training needs. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the ICR will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for revision and extension.

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 PHMSA will conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 32nd session of the United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE) to be held December 3-7, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition, input will be solicited on a five year agenda prioritizing PHMSA's international work.

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. 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. Request of modifications 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 suffic ``M'' denote a modification request. There 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.

PHMSA published a notice in the Federal Register on September 11, 2007, requesting comments on an information collection for underwater periodic inspections. The notice contains an incorrect annual cost estimate.

On May 3, 2007, PHMSA published a final rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; Parts 171-180) by revising and consolidating the requirements applicable to the use of the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the Canadian Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the International Atomic Energy Agency Safety Standards Series: Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. This rule corrects errors in the final rule.

PHMSA is proposing to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to permit certain fuel cell cartridges and fuel cell systems designed for portable electronic devices to be transported by passengers and crew in carry-on baggage on board passenger-carrying aircraft. The proposed rule would cover fuel cells containing certain hazardous materials (flammable liquids, including methanol; formic acid; certain borohydride materials; or butane) and meeting certain performance and consumer use standards, which we are proposing to incorporate by reference into the HMR. We have evaluated the possible transportation safety risks presented by these fuel cell cartridges and systems and have determined they may safely be transported in the cabin of a passenger-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 that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application 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. Request of modifications 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. There applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.