Pipeline integrity management regulations require in some cases that pipeline repairs be carried out within strictly-defined time periods.
After some experience with these recently implemented regulations, the pipeline industry expressed concerns to PHMSA about pipeline operators’ abilities to complete repairs within the specified timeframes. This is because inspection and repair schedules sometimes conflict with environmental protection review schedules administered by other federal, state, and local agencies.
To address these concerns and increase administrative efficiencies as well as public and environmental safety, federal agencies and departments with roles in pipeline repair permitting were directed in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) to establish a coordinated and expedited permit review process. With guidance from the Federal Government Executive Branch, affected agencies convened in 2003 as the White House Interagency Task Force on Permit Streamlining. In recognition of the fact that the timely repair of both natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines is essential to facilitate our nation’s ability to meet the goal of sufficient availability and use of natural gas and liquid fuels, the participating agencies entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in May, 2004.
Members of the task force include:
The Council on Environmental Quality
The Department of Transportation
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Environmental Protection Agency
The Department of the Interior
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
As spelled out in the PSIA, new permit review processes must be designed to “enable pipeline operators to commence and complete all activities necessary to carry out pipeline repairs within the time periods to be established and specified by the Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to the PSIA, and in accordance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Participating Agencies".
In support of this, PHMSA designed and developed the Pipeline Repair and Environmental Guidance System (PREGS) with the input and direction of members of the Interagency Committee. PREGS is a web-based, one-stop resource for pipeline operators and regulatory agencies. It is designed to expedite the permit review process by enabling better communication and standardizing an efficient methodology for permitting. The PREGS website provides recommended Best Management Practices, knowledgeable Points of Contact, and the Activity Manager System (AMS). The AMS is an on-line tool that allows federal, state and local agencies and pipeline operators to participate real-time in pre-inspection planning and coordination to determine, as much as possible, what actions would need to be undertaken should an inspection and/or repair be necessary. It will efficiently and effectively expedite the environmental review and permitting processes.
For more information on the Memorandum of Understanding regarding permit streamlining efforts, please contact the Community Assistance and Technical Services representative for your area More...