Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 515 - RULES OF GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Chapter 515-9 - SAFE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Subject 515-9-7 - GAS SAFETY IN GEORGIA COUNTIES
Rule 515-9-7-.02 - Minimum Procedures for Handling Areas of Natural Gas Emergencies Occurring on the Facilities of Anot

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 515-9-7-.02

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Purpose: This rule establishes minimum guidelines for a Responding Operator that responds to notification of a natural gas emergency and upon arrival at the area of the gas emergency determines that it is not the Affected Operator. All Operators shall minimize risks to the public safety in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 192 and adhere to the procedures established in this Rule. All Operators shall hold public safety as the highest priority when responding to natural gas emergencies.

(2) Definitions: As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

(a) Area of the gas emergency: the area around the location of a natural gas emergency of whatever kind or nature irrespective of facility ownership.

(b) Affected Operator: any Operator as defined in Commission Rule 515-9-7-.01(1)(d) that owns the facility affected by the natural gas emergency.

(c) Responding Operator: any Operator as defined in Commission Rule 515-9-7-.01(1)(d) that arrives on the scene of a natural gas emergency, irrespective of whether it is the Affected Operator.

(3) Obligation of the Responding Operator: Each Operator contacted regarding the existence of a natural gas emergency in an area of joint response (as defined by the Parties in the most recent CWSP and appurtenant map) shall dispatch an Operator Qualified representative who is also trained on the County Wide Safety Plan, to each area of the gas emergency. Each Operator contacted regarding the existence of a natural gas emergency in an area that is not defined as joint response (pursuant to the most recent CWSP and appurtenant map) shall, unless the Operator can definitively identify that the emergency is on another operator's system and positively communicate that emergency information to that Operator, dispatch an Operator Qualified representative who is also trained on the County Wide Safety Plan, to each area of gas emergency. Each Operator shall ensure that all on call operator Qualified representatives have access to all applicable CWSPs. All Operators shall document contacts received regarding all NG emergencies in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 192.615 and shall keep such documentation for a period of not less than five years.

(4) Procedures for the Responding Operator when responding to an Emergency on the Facilities of the Affected Operator: Upon arrival at the area of the gas emergency, each Responding Operator shall at a minimum:

(a) identify itself to Emergency Responders, if present, in the area of the gas emergency;

(b) immediately determine whether the Responding Operator is the Affected Operator of the facility affected by the natural gas emergency.

(c) notify Emergency Responders whether the Responding Operator is also the Affected Operator and owner of the facility affected by the natural gas emergency;

(d) notify the Affected Operator if the Responding Operator is not the Affected Operator.

(e) If the Responding Operator determines that it is not the Affected Operator of the facility affected by the natural gas emergency, the Responding Operator may (but is not obligated to) close the service valve(s) of the affected facility. The Responding Operator may consult with Emergency Responders prior to performing this act. This provision does not constitute the consent of the Affected Operator for the Responding Operator to perform any acts on the facilities of the Affected Operator.

(f) Except as provided in Section 4(g), the Responding Operator shall remain at the area of the gas emergency until:

1. The Affected Operator's personnel are on site at the area of the gas emergency and have assumed responsibility;

2. The area of the gas emergency is under the control of Emergency Responders and the Affected Operator's personnel are on the scene or a gas emergency no longer exists; or

3. If, in the opinion of the Responding Operator, there is no immediate danger to the health and welfare of the general public, the Affected Operator has been alerted to the situation, and in Responding Operator's professional opinion there is no further need to remain on the scene.

4. In the event the Responding Operator determines that it is not the Affected Operator, and it receives notice of a gas emergency on its facilities while in the area of the gas emergency, it will notify Emergency Responders and the Affected Operator, as set forth in the applicable County Wide Safety Plan, Attachment B. The Responding Operator shall document the circumstances of its departure and maintain such document as part of its County Wide Safety Plan.

(5) No Duty Created: Nothing in this Rule creates a duty on the part of the Responding Operator to perform any action other than expressly stated herein.

(6) Compliance with 49 C.F.R. § 192.615 and Acceptance of Emergency Procedures: The requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 192.615 are mandatory. Each Operator shall review and accept the applicable Operator Qualifications and emergency procedures of any other Operator. In the event an Operator is unable to accept the emergency procedures of another Operator, they shall jointly develop and adopt emergency procedures necessary to meet additional system and/or operational requirements. Each Operator shall provide its emergency procedure manual and changes thereto to the Commission within thirty (30) days from the date of adoption or modification.

(7) Points of Contact: Each Operator's designated point(s) of contact for communication between Operators shall be in accordance with GPSC Rule 515-9-7-.01(3).

O.C.G.A. Secs. 46-2-20(i), 46-2-30[including 49 C.F.R. Parts 191 and 192 et. Seq, as adopted now and in the future].

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