[Federal Register: August 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 157)]
[Notices]
[Page 48659-48660]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au03-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)
[Docket No. RSPA-03-15852, Notice 1]
Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective
Public Awareness Programs
AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of workshops on industry consensus standard American
Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, ``Public
Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators.''
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SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA)
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the National Association of
Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) will co-sponsor two workshops
with the pipeline industry trade associations (API, Interstate Natural
Gas Association of America, Association of Oil Pipelines, American Gas
Association, and American Public Gas Association) to introduce and
discuss industry consensus standard API Recommended Practice (RP) 1162,
``Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators.'' These workshops
will also serve to introduce and discuss the statutory requirement that
pipeline operators complete self-assessments of their public education
programs no later than December 17, 2003.
DATES: The first workshop will be held on September 4-5, 2003. The
second workshop will be held on September 16-17, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The first workshop will be held at the Westin Galleria, 5060
West Alabama, Houston, TX 77056, (713) 960-8100. The second workshop
will be held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, 300 Light Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202, (410) 528-1234. Operators of hazardous liquid and
natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas local distribution
systems and oil and gas gathering systems are urged to attend. To
facilitate meeting planning, advance registration for these meetings is
strongly encouraged and can be accomplished online at the following Web
site: http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/meetings. The deadline for
registration at both meetings is August 22, 2003.
Members of the public are welcome to attend these workshops.
Members of the public who are unable to attend in person can view the
meeting over the Internet through the RSPA/OPS Web site: http://ops.dot.gov
.
Persons wishing to submit comments relating to these workshops may
do so by mail or delivery to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590-0001. The Dockets facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except on Federal holidays. You should submit the
original and one copy. Anyone who wants confirmation of receipt of
their comments must include a stamped, self-addressed postcard. You may
also submit comments to the docket electronically. To do so, log on to
the Internet Web address http://dms.dot.gov and click on ``Help'' for
instructions on electronic filing of comments. All written comments
should identify the docket and notice numbers which appear in the
heading of this notice.
Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities: For
information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities
or to request special assistance contact Juan Carlos Martinez (tel:
202-366-1933; e-mail: juan.martinez@rspa.dot.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Wiese (tel: 202-366-4595; e-mail:
jeff.wiese@rspa.dot.gov). You can read comments and other material in
the docket on the Internet at: http://dms.dot.gov.
[[Page 48660]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The existing pipeline safety regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and
195 require operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to
establish continuing education programs to enable customers, the
public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in
excavation related activities to recognize a pipeline emergency for the
purpose of reporting it to the operator or the appropriate public
officials. The regulations also require that operators carry out
written programs to prevent pipeline damage from excavation activities.
Accordingly, pipeline operators have previously conducted public
awareness programs with the affected public, emergency responders, and
excavators along their routes.
The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) requires that
each owner or operator of a natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline
facility must carry out a continuing program to educate the public on
the use of a one-call notification system prior to excavation and other
damage prevention activities, the possible hazards associated with
unintended releases from the pipeline facility, the physical
indications that such a release may have occurred, what steps should be
taken for public safety in the event of a pipeline release, and how to
report such an event.
The PSIA requires that by December 17, 2003, each owner or operator
of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility must review its existing
public education program for effectiveness and modify the program as
necessary. The completed program must include activities to advise
affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of
pipeline facility locations. The completed program must be submitted to
the Secretary of Transportation or, in the case of an intrastate
pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency, and shall be
periodically reviewed by the Secretary or, in the case of an intrastate
pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency.
The PSIA also provides that the Secretary of Transportation may
issue standards prescribing the elements of an effective public
education program. The Secretary may also develop material for use in
the program.
In anticipation of this requirement and in response to
recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),
RSPA/OPS has encouraged the pipeline industry to work on improving
public education programs. The pipeline industry formed a Task Force
with representatives from natural gas and liquid petroleum transmission
companies, local distribution companies, gathering systems, and
industry trade associations. The Task Force has developed a consensus
standard establishing guidelines for pipeline operators on development,
implementation, and evaluation of public education programs for
operating pipeline systems, American Petroleum Institute (API)
Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, ``Public Awareness Programs for
Pipeline Operators.'' The Task Force sought feedback from local public
officials, the public and interested parties. Representatives from
RSPA/OPS and NAPSR observed and provided input into the development of
the standard. On January 29, 2003, RSPA/OPS hosted a public meeting on
this standard in Bellevue, Washington, to encourage additional public
participation.
RP 1162 was developed under the guidelines of both API and the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Following formal
adoption, RP 1162 is expected to be published as a national consensus
standard in September 2003.
The level of public education and awareness regarding operating
pipelines and pipeline safety can only be increased through
demonstrably effective education and communication programs. Therefore,
RSPA/OPS is considering incorporating RP 1162 into the pipeline safety
regulations.
RSPA/OPS has evaluated the PSIA requirements that operators review
and modify their public education programs and submit their completed
programs to RSPA/OPS. RP 1162 contains guidance on program
effectiveness that amply satisfies the statutory requirement. RSPA/OPS
and pipeline industry trade associations encourage pipeline operators
to complete a formal self-assessment of their public education programs
against the guidelines provided in RP 1162. To assist them in this,
RSPA/OPS is developing an Internet-based self-assessment that operators
can complete electronically. These self-assessments will help operators
identify gaps in their public education programs and the improvements
needed to align it with the guidance of RP 1162. This will assist
operators in meeting the statutory requirement by December 17, 2003.
RSPA/OPS will co-sponsor two workshops with the pipeline industry
trade associations (API, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America,
Association of Oil Pipelines, American Gas Association, and American
Public Gas Association,) to facilitate these operator self-assessments.
Each workshop will provide an industry-facilitated review of RP 1162
and a panel discussion of successful public education practices. RSPA/
OPS will describe the self-assessment process and will facilitate
sessions on effective program evaluation techniques. RSPA/OPS will
conduct breakout sessions during these workshops for the hazardous
liquid and natural gas transmission pipeline operators. The breakout
sessions will provide a more in-depth overview of the self-assessment
process and attempt to gauge the current status of public education
programs for the transmission pipeline operators by completion of
informal self-assessments in advance of the formal self-assessment
required by December 17, 2003. All hazardous liquid and natural gas
transmission pipeline operators are urged to attend the breakout
sessions. It is important that the attending representative be familiar
with the operating systems that are covered under the operator's public
education program.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 8, 2003.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 03-20775 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P