[Federal Register: April 23, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 77)]
[Notices]
[Page 20175-20176]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap07-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-04-19856]
Pipeline Safety: Senior Executive Signature and Certification of
Integrity Management Program Performance Reports
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Issuance of advisory bulletin.
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SUMMARY: On December 29, 2006, the Pipeline Inspection, Protection,
Enforcement and Safety Act was signed into law. The law, known as the
PIPES Act, includes a provision requiring the senior executive officers
of pipeline operating companies to certify annual and semiannual
pipeline integrity management program performance reports. This
advisory provides information to assist pipeline operators with
certifying future submissions of annual and semiannual pipeline
integrity management program performance reports.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zach Barrett at (405) 954-5559 or by
e-mail at zach.barrett@dot.gov; or Wayne Lemoi at (404) 832-1160, or by
e-mail at wayne.lemoi@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 16 of the PIPES Act requires PHMSA to establish procedures
for a pipeline operator's senior executive officer to certify annual
and semiannual pipeline integrity management program performance
reports with their signature. Specifically, the law requires each
report to include a signed statement certifying that the senior
executive officer has reviewed the report and to the best of the senior
executive officer's knowledge and belief, this report is true and
complete. PHMSA is modifying its electronic filing to assist pipeline
operators with complying with section 16 of the PIPES Act
electronically. In addition, this advisory informs operators not filing
electronically how to comply with section 16.
II. Advisory Bulletin ADB-07-01
To: Operators of Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipelines.
Subject: Senior Executive Officer Signature and Certification of
Integrity Management Program Performance Reports.
Purpose: To inform operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid
pipelines on how to meet the requirement for a senior executive
officer's signature and certification on pipeline integrity management
program (IMP) performance reports.
Advisory: Section 16 of the PIPES Act requires pipeline operators
to have a senior executive officer of the company sign and certify
annual and semiannual IMP performance reports. By signing, the senior
executive officer is certifying that the senior executive officer has
reviewed the report and to the best of the senior executive officer's
knowledge and belief, this report is true and complete. To assist
pipeline operators with complying with the section 16 requirement, we
are providing the following procedures for those operators of natural
gas pipelines and hazardous liquid pipelines required to file IMP
reports. Pipeline operators should follow these procedures for future
submissions of annual and semiannual IMP performance reports.
Gas Integrity Management Program Performance Measures Reports
Operators of gas transmission pipelines are required by 49 CFR
[[Page 20176]]
192.945 to submit IMP performance measures semiannually to PHMSA.
Operators are encouraged to submit the IMP reports using the electronic
form available on PHMSA's Web site at http://phmsa.dot.gov.
To minimize future transcription and handling and to lessen the
chance for errors, PHMSA is modifying the gas IMP electronic form to
reflect the new legal requirement for a senior executive officer's
certification and signature. Operators should enter the name and title
of the senior executive officer certifying the report in the
appropriate blanks on the form and in the signature block on the form.
Operators should keep in mind that entering the senior executive
officer's name onto the electronic form is equivalent to a paper
submission and has the same legal authenticity and requirements as a
paper document.
In lieu of electronic filing, operators can mail or fax the reports
to PHMSA. If submitting by mail or fax, the name and title of the
senior executive officer certifying the report should be entered in the
appropriate blanks on the form. The senior executive officer should
certify the report by signing this form in the signature block.
Hazardous Liquid Integrity Management Program Annual Reports
PHMSA requires hazardous liquid pipeline operators to submit annual
reports providing information about their pipeline infrastructure and
their integrity management program. Operators are required to submit
these reports annually and by June 15 for the previous calendar year in
accordance with 49 CFR 195.49.
Operators of hazardous liquid pipelines are encouraged to use the
Online Data Entry System (ODES) available at the PHMSA Web site located
at http://phmsa.dot.gov to submit annual reports. To minimize future
transcription and handling and to lessen the chance for errors, we are
modifying the ODES electronic form to reflect the new legal requirement
for a senior executive officer certification and signature. Operators
should enter the name and title of the senior executive officer
certifying the report in the appropriate blanks on the form and in the
signature block on the form. Operators should keep in mind that
entering the senior executive officer's name onto the electronic form
is equivalent to a paper submission and has the same legal authenticity
and requirements as a paper document.
Operators may also submit the annual report to PHMSA by mail or fax
in accordance with 49 CFR 195.58. If submitting by mail or fax, the
name and title of the senior executive officer certifying the report
should be entered in the appropriate blanks on the form. The senior
executive officer should certify the report by signing the form in the
signature block.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. chapter 601 and 49 CFR 1.53.
Issued in Washington, DC on April 13, 2007.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E7-7602 Filed 4-20-07; 8:45 am]
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