Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration July 19, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

PHMSA invites volunteers for a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of paperless hazard communications systems and comments on an information collection activity associated with the pilot program. ``Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act'' (MAP-21) authorizes PHMSA to conduct a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using paperless hazard communications systems. In accordance with MAP-21, in conducting the pilot projects, PHMSA may not waive the current shipping paper requirements. In addition, MAP-21 indicates that PHMSA must consult with organizations representing fire and other emergency responders, law enforcement, and regulated entities. Upon completion of the pilot projects, PHMSA must evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of paperless hazard communications systems and make a recommendation to Congress regarding regulatory changes that would permanently authorize the use of paperless hazard communications systems. The report is due to Congress by October 1, 2014. The intent of this notice is to: (1) Describe the current regulatory requirements for shipping papers; (2) describe authority granted under MAP-21; (3) explain the goal, scope, and intent of the pilot program; (4) seek volunteers to participate in the pilot projects and describe criteria for selecting pilot participants from the volunteers; and (5) seek comment on the request for information to be collected in conducting the pilot projects and in consulting with organizations representing fire and other emergency responders, law enforcement, and regulated entities. Information gathered will enable PHMSA to generate a report to Congress detailing: (1) The performance of each paperless hazard communications system tested during the pilot projects; (2) PHMSA's assessment of the safety and security impacts on stakeholders; (3) the associated costs and benefits; and (4) PHMSA's regulatory recommendation(s).

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 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.