PHMSA National Pipeline Mapping System Public Meeting

PHMSA will conduct a one-day public meeting to bring pipeline stakeholders together to discuss the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) Information Collection which is out for comment. Operators and industry groups have expressed concern about the cost and time that will be needed to submit the additional data elements that are in the Information Collection and how PHMSA plans to keep the new data elements secure.

This workshop is open to all and there is no cost to attend. When registering, please indicate the stakeholder group that you best identify with. On-site participant registration and badge pick up will be available at 9:00 AM on the day of the workshop.

PHMSA will conduct a one-day public meeting to bring pipeline stakeholders together to discuss the NPMS Information Collection which is out for comment. PHMSA intends to gather information from stakeholders to identify ways to minimize the burden on operators while still obtaining the additional data elements it needs to perform its mission. Presentations will be made available on this website following the public meeting.

The meeting will be conducted on November 17, 2014 from 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (EST). This meeting will not be webcast. Presentations from this public meeting will be made available on this website following the meeting. The Federal Register Notice of this meeting is available below.

BACKGROUND: Gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline operators are required to annually submit geospatial data, attributes, data, and public contact information to PHMSA's National Pipeline Mapping System by the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The current data elements collected and the positional accuracy of the pipeline data were developed by PHMSA through collaboration with the pipeline industry in 1998. The state of GIS technology and operators' GIS systems has made significant advances since that time. Many data elements that are currently collected in tabular format in an operator's Annual Report are now stored in an operator's GIS. GIS data has added analytical and decision support capabilities that PHMSA wishes to leverage.

PHMSA issued an Information Collection Notice (OMB Control No. 2137-0596) on 7/30/14. The Federal Register Notice file is available below; comments are due by 12/1/14. The notice outlines the new data elements and positional accuracy that will be required in operators' NPMS submissions.

1. Provide an overview of the data elements required in the NPMS Information Collection;
2. Discuss the state of pipeline operators' GIS systems and their ability to submit the new data elements;
3. Discuss the security sensitivity of the new data elements; specifically, which elements will be available to PHMSA, other government officials, pipeline operators, and the general public; and
4. Discuss ways to minimize the burden on operators related to submitting the new data elements.

REGISTRANT NOTICE: You may register online now. On the day of the workshop, registrants should pick up their name badges at the registration desk. On-site participant registration and badge pick up will be available at 9:00 AM on the day of the workshop.

INFORMATION ON SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Amy Nelson at (202) 202-493-0591, or by email at amy.nelson @ dot.gov, by November 7, 2014.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Amy Nelson, Office of Pipeline Safety, Phone: (202) 493-0591, or Email: amy.nelson @ dot.gov.