Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; Public Meeting
This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 29th session of the United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE) to be held 3-12 (a.m.) July 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.-Extension of Comment Period
On March 22, 2006, PHMSA sought comment on a request by Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.'s (M&NE) waiver of the pipeline safety standard on the maximum allowable operating pressure. This document extends the public comment period from April 21, 2006 to June 16, 2006.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for 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.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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'' demote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.
Correction to Safety Advisory Concerning the Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Untested Compressed Gas Cylinders
On May 1, 2006, PHMSA published a safety advisory notice advising the public that certain high pressure DOT exemption cylinders were not tested in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. In the safety advisory notice, the serial numbers for the Goodrich cylinders ``Model No. T123-1 GOODR'' were listed incorrectly. This safety advisory notice corrects the May 1, 2006 safety advisory notice to provide the correct serial numbers for the affected cylinders. PHMSA published the safety advisory after learning of the manufacture, marking, and sale of certain high pressure DOT exemption cylinders that were not tested in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. These cylinders were manufactured and/or distributed by Luxfer, Inc. (Luxfer), Riverside, CA. Luxfer and its independent inspection agency, Arrowhead Industrial Services, Inc. (Arrowhead), reported to PHMSA that 6,325 high pressure cylinders manufactured to the DOT CFFC and FRP-1 standards as authorized in DOT-E 10915, DOT-E 9634, and DOT-E 9894, had been shipped from Luxfer without undergoing the required autofrettage and hydrostatic tests. In a joint effort, Luxfer and Arrowhead have retrieved 2,581 of the untested cylinders. The model numbers and serial numbers of the remaining 3,859 cylinders are listed in this notice. Only cylinders with the listed serial numbers listed are affected. A person with a listed cylinder should discontinue use of the cylinder and return it to Arrowhead at the address below so the autofrettage and hydrostatic test can be completed before its next use. Shippers and compressed gas filling facilities are advised that these cylinders do not meet the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations and may not be offered for transportation or transported until the required testing is completed.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Notice of Delays in Processing of Special Permits Applications
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.
Safety Advisory: Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Untested Compressed Gas Cylinders
PHMSA was recently notified of the manufacture, marking, and sale of certain high pressure DOT exemption cylinders that were not tested in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. These cylinders were manufactured and/or distributed by Luxfer, Inc. (Luxfer), Riverside, CA. Luxfer and its independent inspection agency, Arrowhead Industrial Services, Inc. (Arrowhead), reported to PHMSA that 6,325 high pressure cylinders manufactured to the DOT CFFC and FRP-1 standards as authorized in DOT-E 10915, DOT-E 9634, and DOT-E 9894, had been shipped from Luxfer without undergoing the required autofrettage and hydrostatic tests. In a joint effort, Luxfer and Arrowhead have retrieved 2,581 of the untested cylinders. The model numbers and serial numbers of the remaining 3,744 cylinders are listed in this notice. Only cylinders with the listed serial numbers listed are affected. A person with a listed cylinder should discontinue use of the cylinder and return it to Arrowhead at the address below so the autofrettage and hydrostatic test can be completed before its next use. Shippers and compressed gas filling facilities are advised that these cylinders do not meet the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations and may not be offered for transportation or transported until the required testing is completed.
Pipeline Safety: Meetings of the Pipeline Safety Standards Advisory Committees and Two Public Workshops
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 discuss regulatory issues and vote on two rulemaking proposals: Integrity management program changes and clarifications, and design and construction standards to reduce internal corrosion in gas transmission pipelines. In conjunction with the advisory committee meetings, PHMSA will hold two public workshops. PHMSA will hold a half day public workshop on Hazardous Liquid Low Stress Pipelines to solicit comments on a risk-based approach to protecting unusually sensitive areas from risks associated with low stress lines. PHMSA also will conduct a public workshop to discuss the effectiveness of pipeline control room operations and to obtain comments on ways to enhance the effectiveness of pipeline control room operations and on findings from the Controller Certification Project (CCERT).
Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Lighters and Lighter Refills
On January 23, 2006, PHMSA published a final rule entitled ``Requirements for Lighters and Lighter Refills'' that amended requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations pertaining to the examination, testing, certification, and transportation of lighters and lighter refills. In response to appeals submitted by persons affected by the final rule, this final rule amends requirements applicable to the transportation of lighter refills and allows for immediate voluntary compliance with certain provisions.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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. These applications have been separated from the new applications for special permits to facilitate processing.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for 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.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Delays in Processing of Special Permits Applications
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.
Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Rockies Express Pipeline
The Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (Rockies Express) has requested a waiver of compliance from the pipeline safety regulation that prescribes the design factor to be used in the design formula for steel pipe. The waiver will allow Rockies Express to operate at hoop stresses up to 80 percent specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) in Class 1 locations.
Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Alliance Pipeline L.P.
Alliance Pipeline L.P. (APL) requested a waiver of compliance for the U.S. portion of its pipeline system in Class 1 and Class 2 locations to operate its pipeline at stress levels up to 80 percent of the pipeline's specified minimum yield strength (SMYS), and increase the design factor for its compressor station piping. APL also requested relief from the hydrostatic testing requirements for its compressor station piping and pressure relieving and limiting station equipment requirements.
Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (M&N) requests a waiver of compliance for the U.S. portion of its pipeline system in Class 1, 2, and 3 locations to operate at stress levels up to 80 percent; 67 percent; and 56 percent respectively, of the pipeline's specified minimum yield strength (SMYS).
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials 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.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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 applications for special permits to facilitate processing.
Hazardous Materials: Revision of Requirements for Carriage by Aircraft
This final rule amends the requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for the transportation of hazardous materials by aircraft. This final rule clarifies the applicability of part 175; clarifies the exceptions from regulation for operator equipment and supplies, special aircraft operations, and passengers and crewmembers; revises separation distances for the shipment of radioactive materials by cargo aircraft; and updates the regulations to comply with security requirements for explosive special permits. These changes are being made to finalize outstanding petitions for rulemaking, convert certain special permits into regulations, and promote international harmonization, where appropriate.
Pipeline Safety: Request for Waiver; Dominion Transmission, Inc.
Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI) requested a waiver of compliance from the pipeline safety regulation that requires each liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility constructed after March 31, 2000 to comply with the American National Standards Institute and National Fire Protection Association (ANSI/NFPA) standard for low-pressure welded storage containers.
Pipeline Safety: Grant of Waiver; Duke Energy Gas Transmission Company
Duke Energy Gas Transmission Company (DEGT) petitioned the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for a waiver of compliance with 49 CFR 192.611, which requires natural gas pipeline operators to confirm or revise the maximum allowable operating pressure of a pipeline after a change in class location. DEGT requested the waiver for certain segments of its natural gas pipeline located in Tennessee and Kentucky that have changed, and for segments that may change from Class 1 to Class 2 in the future. Under the pipeline safety regulations, class location indicates the population density near a pipeline. As the population along a pipeline increases, the class location increases. DEGT proposed to conduct a set of alternative risk control activities, in lieu of pipe replacement or pressure reduction, on all the segments requested in the waiver.
Gas Gathering Line Definition; Alternative Definition for Onshore Lines and New Safety Standards
This action adopts a consensus standard to distinguish onshore gathering lines from other gas pipelines and production operations. In addition, it establishes safety rules for certain onshore gathering lines in rural areas and revises current rules for certain onshore gathering lines in nonrural areas. Operators will use a new risk-based approach to determine which onshore gathering lines are subject to PHMSA's gas pipeline safety rules and which of these rules the lines must meet. PHMSA intends this action to reduce disagreements over classifications of onshore gathering lines, increase public confidence in the safety of onshore gathering lines, and provide safety rules consistent with the risks of onshore gathering lines.
Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Approval of an Existing Information Collection (2137-0610)
This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process for the renewal of an existing PHMSA information collection. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below has been forwarded to OMB for extension of the currently approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on the following information collection and received none. The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Delays in Processing of Special Permit Applications
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.
Houston, TX Requirements on Storage of Hazardous Materials During Transportation
A. Federal hazardous material transportation law preempts the following requirements in the Houston Fire Code as applied by the Houston Fire Department to the storage of hazardous materials during transportation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, because (a) the designation, description, and classification of hazardous materials in the Fire Code is not substantively the same as in the HMR; (b) these requirements are not substantively the same as requirements in the HMR regarding the use of shipping documents to provide emergency response information in the event of an incident during the transportation of hazardous material; and (c) these requirements require advance notification of the transportation of hazardous materials which creates an obstacle to accomplishing and carrying out the purposes and goals of Federal hazardous material transportation law and the HMR: 1. Sections 105.8.h.1 and 8001.3.1, which require a permit to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of certain ``exempt'' amounts listed in Table 105-C of the Fire Code. 2. Sections 105.8.f.3 and 7901.3.1, which require a permit to store, handle, transport, dispense, or use flammable or combustible liquids in excess of the amounts specified in Sec. 105.8.f.3. 3. Sections 8001.3.2 and 8001.3.3, which specify the Houston Fire Chief may require an applicant for a permit to provide a hazardous materials management plan and a hazardous materials inventory statement in accordance with the provisions of Appendix II-E of the Fire Code. B. Federal hazardous material transportation law preempts the separation requirements in sections 7902.1.6 and 8001.11.8 of the Houston Fire Code as applied by the Houston Fire Department to the storage of hazardous materials during transportation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, because these requirements are not substantively the same as the segregation requirements in 49 CFR 175.78. C. There is insufficient information to find Federal hazardous material transportation law preempts the secondary containment requirements in sections 7901.8 and 8003.1.3.3 in the Houston Fire Code as enforced and applied by the Houston Fire Department to the storage of hazardous materials during transportation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, including the construction and capacity requirements for storage cabinets for secondary containment in sections 7902.5.9 and 8001.10.6, because the application and comments do not show (a) it is impossible to comply with both these requirements and the Federal hazardous material transportation law, the regulations issued under that law, or a hazardous materials transportation security regulation or directive issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), or (b) these requirements, as enforced and applied, are likely to cause diversions or delays in the transportation of hazardous materials. If the applicant wishes to provide further information regarding the secondary containment requirements in the Houston Fire Code, it may submit a new application.
Pipeline Safety: Random Drug Testing Rate
Each year pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of selections may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate PHMSA determines, either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees, based on the industry's positive rate of random tests. In accordance with applicable standards, PHMSA has determined that the positive rate of random drug tests reported by operators this calendar year for testing done in calendar year 2005 is less than 1.0 percent. Therefore, in calendar year 2006, the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for 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.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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 Material 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 applications for special permits to facilitate processing.
Hazardous Materials: Revisions to Civil and Criminal Penalties; Penalty Guidelines
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is revising its regulations to reflect revisions to the civil and criminal penalties in the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Reauthorization Act (Title VII of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users), enacted on August 10, 2005. We are also revising baseline assessments for violations related to training and security plans and making editorial changes in our List of Frequently Cited Violations in our Guidelines for Civil Penalties. We publish our Guidelines for Civil Penalties in order to provide the regulated community and the general public with information on the hazardous material penalty assessment process.
Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Approval of an Existing Information Collection (2137-0589)
This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process for the renewal of an existing PHMSA information collection. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below has been forwarded to OMB for extension of the currently approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on the following information collection and received none. The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments.
Hazardous Materials: Enforcement Procedures; Correction
On January 25, 2006, PHMSA published a notice of public meetings inviting interested persons to participate in a series of public meetings addressing the enhanced hazardous materials transportation enforcement authority contained in the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Title VII of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)), enacted on August 10, 2005. In the January 25, 2006, notice we published a 3 p.m. start time for the March 15, 2006 public meeting in error. The Seattle, Washington meeting will instead begin at 12 p.m. on March 15, 2006.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Delays in Processing of Special Permit Applications
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.
Hazardous Materials: Revision and Reformatting of Requirements for the Authorization To Use International Transport Standards and Regulations
In this notice of proposed rulemaking, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations 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. The revisions and reformatting provide a user-friendly format to promote understanding of the conditions and limitations on the use of international standards and regulations, thereby ensuring that an acceptable level of safety is maintained while facilitating the transportation of hazardous materials.
Hazardous Materials: Enforcement Procedures
PHMSA is inviting interested persons to participate in a series of public meetings that will address new hazardous materials transportation enforcement authority contained in the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Title VII of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users), enacted on August 10, 2005. This expanded authority permits DOT enforcement personnel to open the outer packaging(s) of a package believed to contain hazardous materials; order a package believed to contain hazardous materials to be transported to an appropriate facility for examination and analysis; assist in the safe resumption of transportation of a package when practicable and an imminent hazard is found not to exist; and, when an imminent hazard may exist, remove a package from transportation or issue an emergency restriction, prohibition, recall, or out-of-service order.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazards 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.
Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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'' demote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new applications for special permits to facilitate processing.
Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Lighters and Lighter Refills
This final rule amends requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) pertaining to the examination, testing, certification, and transportation of lighters and lighter refills. This action will clarify regulatory requirements and, where appropriate, decrease the regulatory burden, while continuing to provide for the safe transportation of lighters and lighter refills in commerce.
Pipeline Safety: Notice to Operators of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines To Integrate Operator Qualification Regulations into Excavation Activities
PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to pipeline operators to reinforce the need for safe excavation practices and recommend that pipeline operators integrate the Operator Qualification regulations into their marking, trenching, and backfilling operations to prevent excavation damage mishaps.
Pipeline Safety: Gas Gathering Line, Definition; Meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Advisory Committee
This notice announces a public meeting of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) to vote on a proposed rule to use consensus standards to distinguish onshore gathering lines, to establish safety standards for certain higher-risk onshore gathering lines, and to change current standards on low-risk onshore gathering lines.
Notice of Delays in Processing of Special Permit Applications
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.
Pipeline Safety: Reconsideration of Natural Gas Pipeline Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Class Locations
On March 21, 2006, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will hold a public meeting to discuss raising the allowable operating pressure on certain natural gas transmission pipelines. Pipelines are the energy highways of the Nation that provide the most efficient means to transport vast volumes of natural gas on which we depend. Raising the maximum allowable operating pressures (MAOP) for natural gas pipelines would allow more gas to flow through these pipelines. This notice is designed to announce a public meeting and to invite papers on relevant technical subjects. Over the past 20 years, there has been a drastic improvement in technology pertaining to materials, metallurgy, controls, operations, and maintenance of the pipeline network. Based on these and other advances, PHMSA believes that certain pipelines in certain locations could be safely and reliably operated above the operating pressure established in current Federal pipeline safety regulation. There are three categories of pipelines that could realize an immediate benefit from such an increase in the MAOP: the proposed Alaska Natural Gas Transmission System; new natural gas pipelines that are being certificated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and pipelines constructed since 1980 with line pipe of known metallurgical and mechanical properties. This meeting provides the pipeline industry, Federal and State regulators, and interested members of the public an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience about the impact of increasing the MAOP to increase pipeline efficiency. Individuals that would like to make presentations should notify the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by February 7, 2006, and submit papers at this meeting.
Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Damage Technical Workshop
PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) are hosting this workshop to address pipeline safety issues with mechanical damage. Several pipeline industry trade associations are participating in the development of the workshop agenda. Mechanical damage from third party intrusion and latent defects caused during pipeline construction remains a leading cause of major incidents. This workshop will provide a forum to share information on mechanical damage among pipeline operators, state agencies, technical experts, and the public. Participants will discuss and learn about prevention, detection, and characterization technologies for mechanical damage. This information will aid PHMSA in coordinating actions to address the problems mechanical damage poses in operating natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Pipeline Safety: Public Meeting on Operator Qualifications
This notice announces the availability of materials, including a revised concept paper, presented at the public meeting on operator qualification programs on December 15, 2005. PHMSA is preparing a report to Congress on the status and results of these programs to ensure the qualifications of individuals performing safety tasks on pipelines. Participants at the meeting discussed progress on operator qualification programs to help PHMSA prepare the report to Congress. Participants also discussed the potential for strengthening operator qualification programs. PHMSA requests public comment on these matters.
Request for Public Comments and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Approval of an Existing Information Collection (2137-0610)
This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding the renewal of an existing PHMSA collection of information for Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas (Gas Transmission Pipeline Operators). PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. With this notice, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on ways to minimize the burden associated with collection of information related to pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas for natural gas transmission pipeline operators.
Information Collection Activities
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requests (ICR) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on September 21, 2005 [70 FR 55450]. No comments were received.
Safeguarding Food From Contamination During Transportation
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the successor agency to the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking published on May 21, 1993, and the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking published on December 21, 2004. In those notices, the Agency proposed to implement the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1990 by amending its regulations to address the safe transportation of food and food products in commerce. On August 10, 2005, the President signed the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005, which transferred authority for regulating the safe transportation of food from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permit
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'' demote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new applications for special permits to facilitate processing.
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Notice of Application for 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.
Pipeline Safety: Design and Construction Standards To Reduce Internal Corrosion in Gas Transmission Pipelines
This document proposes regulations on the control of internal corrosion when designing and constructing new and replaced gas transmission pipelines. The proposed rule would require an operator to take steps in design and construction to reduce the risk that liquids collecting within the pipeline could result in failures because of internal corrosion. These changes would ease steps an operator must take in operating and maintaining the pipeline to minimize internal corrosion.
Integrity Management: Program Modifications and Clarifications-Request for Comments
PHMSA proposes revisions to the current Pipeline Safety Regulations for Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas. The revisions address a petition from the hazardous liquid pipeline industry. The revisions are to: allow more flexibility in reassessment intervals for hazardous liquid pipelines by adding an eight-month window to the five-year time frame for operators to complete reassessment; and require both hazardous liquid pipeline and gas transmission pipeline operators to notify PHMSA whenever they reduce pipeline pressure to make a repair and to provide reasons for pressure reduction. Another notification, including reasons for repair delay, would be required when a pressure reduction exceeds 365 days. Also, PHMSA proposes to correct existing provisions for calculating a pressure reduction when making an immediate repair on a hazardous liquid pipeline. The proposed correction would allow operators to use another acceptable method to calculate reduced operating pressure when a specified formula is not applicable or results in a calculated pressure higher than operating pressure. Finally, PHMSA seeks the submittal of engineering analyses and technical data. These submittals are to provide the basis for modifying the required time periods for remediating certain conditions found during a hazardous liquid pipeline integrity assessment. PHMSA will use this data to evaluate the scope and scale of repair issues to develop an accurate basis for determining if any additional flexibility is needed in the repair schedules.
Hazardous Materials: Incorporation of Statutorily Mandated Revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations
This final rule revises terminology, definitions, and requirements for consistency with the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005. These amendments include revising the definitions of ``hazmat employee'' and ``hazmat employer;'' revision of shipping paper retention requirements; providing a security plan exception for farmers; adding conditional applicability of postal laws and regulations; and replacement of ``Exemption'' with ``Special permit.''
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