DOT Office of Inspector General releases report on top management challenges.  On November 17, DOT’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report identifying DOT’s top management challenges for the 2015 fiscal year.  The report highlights OIG’s recent review of PHMSA’s State Pipeline Safety Program, which found a lack of effective management and oversight.  Challenges to PHMSA include providing guidance to states on how to consider risk factors when scheduling inspections; adequately assessing state inspection procedures and compliance with program evaluation requirements; and auditing grant funds.  The report notes that PHMSA is implementing a new training program for PHMSA evaluators reviewing state safety programs.

PHMSA maintains 25% random drug testing rate for 2015.  On November 17, PHMSA published a notice that it will continue to require operators to perform random drug and alcohol testing for a minimum of 25% of covered pipeline employees during 2015.  The testing rate remains unchanged because the random drug test positive rate for the calendar year 2013 was less than one percent.  PHMSA also stated that user names and passwords necessary to access the online Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) will be available to operators with access to the PHMSA Portal in late December 2014. 

Presentations from PHMSA’s NPMS public meeting are available.  Presentations from PHMSA’s November 17 public meeting on the proposed information collection relating to the National Pipeline Mapping System are available here.  Comments on the proposal, which were due December 1, are available here.

PHMSA announces new R&D initiatives.  PHMSA has announced several new research and development initiatives, including research aimed at improving pipeline coating and reducing and preventing corrosion.  Projects are listed here.

Updates from Industry

Presentations from the Pipeline Safety Trust 2014 Annual Conference are available.  On November 20 and 21, the Pipeline Safety Trust convened its 2014 Annual Conference in New Orleans.  Speakers included officials from PHMSA and other federal, state, and local government agencies; industry representatives; and members of the public.  Copies of presentations and webcast videos are available here.

Updates from Canada

NEB engagement initiative on pipeline safety.  On November 25, Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) announced a “cross-Canada engagement initiative” in which NEB will visit all provinces and northern territories to solicit input on how NEB can improve its pipeline safety program.  The initiative will also include an online discussion forum, which can be accessed here.  The NEB intends to host a pipeline safety technical conference after visits are concluded in late spring 2015, and issue a public report in early 2016. 

Updates from Select States

(New items are marked with an “*”)

CALIFORNIA

*SB18 (Hill): This bill would authorize the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to require that the $1.4 billion fine proposed by CPUC administrative law judges against PG&E for violations relating to the 2010 San Bruno accident be held in a separate account and not deposited into the state’s General Fund.  Most of the funds would be used to offset investments in pipeline replacements in the company’s service territory that otherwise would be recovered from rate payers.  A portion of the funds also would be allocated for an independent monitor to oversee the company’s pipeline operations and to provide seed money for a pipeline safety trust.  The bill was referred to the Committee on Rules.

ILLINOIS

The Illinois Commerce Commission has proposed to amend its gas pipeline safety regulations to (1) incorporate by reference the federal pipeline safety rules in effect on October 1, 2014, and (2) require the electronic submission of plans, procedures, and programs that are submitted to the agency.  Comments on the proposed amendments are due December 22, 2014.

KANSAS

The Kansas Corporation Commission held a hearing on November 4, on proposed amended regulations adopting the 2013 version of the federal gas safety standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 192.  In addition, the proposed amendments would remove the 5-day repair requirement for class 1 leaks; permit utility companies to supervise repairs of natural gas lines in residential areas by defining “yard line” to end at the outside wall of an individually metered residential premise; and simplify the fee collection schedule for safety inspections and supervision by removing outdated assessment information.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Public Service Commission proposes to incorporate federal safety regulations.  On July 17, the Michigan Public Service Commission convened a public hearing on a proposed amendment to its rules to adopt by reference the latest federal gas pipeline safety standards.  The proposed rules would also adopt updated technical standards and clarify the requirements related to the disconnection or abandonment of indoor gas facilities.

HB 5556 (Townsend):  This bill would increase the administrative civil penalties that can be imposed for pipeline safety violations to $20,000 per day, per violation, not to exceed $800,000 for any related series of violations.   It would also require any person who engages in the transportation of gas or who owns or operates pipeline facilities to annually communicate with county and municipal emergency coordinators to review the public education and awareness programs.  The bill was introduced on May 8 and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Technology.

NEW JERSEY

A2711 (Handlin):  This bill proposes to create the New Jersey Taskforce on Underground Utility Lines for the purpose of studying issues related to placing overhead utilities underground.  The bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Telecommunications and Utilities.

S 2422 (Greenstein & Bateman):  This bill would require natural gas pipeline utilities to repair or replace leaking natural gas pipelines within time frames to be established by the Dept. of Environmental Protection (“DEP”).  DEP, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, would adopt implementing regulations to prioritize time frames for the repair and replacement of pipelines based on the severity of leaks, best practices and repair standards, and de minimis exceptions to the repair and replacement requirements.  The penalties for noncompliance would be those set forth in the Air Pollution Control Act (1954).  The bill was introduced on September 18 and referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

SR No. 91 (Codey, Thompson & Greenstein):  This Senate Resolution urges natural gas pipeline operators to adopt infrastructure, technology and management tools to prevent methane leaks in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the efficient transmission and distribution of natural gas, and reduce the risk of methane gas-related emergencies.

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission initiates rulemaking on excavation and One-Call Requirements.  On July 9, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission proposed to amend its rules for excavation damage prevention and One-Call programs.   The proposed amendments would require the establishment of a “positive response registry system,” and update underground facility operators’ (UFO) response requirements to excavation locate requests to include a “positive response” even if the UFO determines it has no facilities within the proposed excavation limits.  The proposed amendments also would make failure to provide positive responses, pre-mark the intended site, or report damage a “willful” violation.  A public hearing was held on September 24.

NORTH DAKOTA

*On November 10, the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) issued a notice that it is proposing to amend its pipeline safety regulations to include PHMSA’s regulatory requirements adopted through November 6, 2014.  The PSC is also proposing PHMSA’s Part 195 regulations applicable to hazardous liquid pipelines.  The PSC will convene a public hearing on the proposed amendments on December 15, 2014.

OHIO

SB No. 378 (Coley):  The bill would, among other things, (1) provide the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) with authority to enforce the state’s one-call utility protection requirements; (2) set forth complaint and enforcement procedures for alleged non-compliance with one-call requirements; and (3) create an Underground Technical Committee to coordinate with the PUC in administering one-call requirements, receive and review PUC reports on complaints of alleged non-compliance, and recommend remedial action.

PENNSYLVANIA

HB 1607 (Baker):  The bill would amend Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Law (One-Call Law) and extend the sunset date of the Act through 2021.  In general, the bill would transfer enforcement authority from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; create a Damage Prevention Committee; place additional obligations on facility owners, excavators, and project owners; and create an administrative process for the determination of violations and the assessment of penalties.  On June 27, the House passed the bill, and it has been referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

SB1459: This bill would amend Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Protection Law to require the use of steel products made in the United States for any “construction, reconstruction alteration, repair, improvement or maintenance of gathering lines.”  The bill was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on July 31.

SB1458: This bill would require the use of steel products made in the United States for “casings or other safety devices” used in drilling oil or gas wells.  The bill would apply only to devices added on or after the effective date.  The bill was referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on July 31.

SB 1503:  This bill would replace the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission with the Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.  The bill would require the Department to apply for federal delegation to enforce federal hazardous liquids and gas pipeline safety standards in the Commonwealth, and for authority to adopt interstate hazardous liquids and gas pipeline rules.   The bill would also require the Department to seek federal delegation to act as an interstate agent inspection authority.  The bill was referred to the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on October 14.

TEXAS

*The Railroad Commission of Texas is conducting a survey of pipeline operators of Class 1 and rural gathering pipelines to better understand the risk the lines pose to the public.  The survey is part of the process of implementing House Bill 2982, which delegated authority to the Commission to regulate transportation and gathering facilities for gas in Class 1 locations and hazardous liquids and carbon dioxide in rural locations.  Responses are due January 30, 2015.  The survey is available here. 

To download a full text PDF, which includes Dates of Interest, upcoming PHMSA State Seminars, and State Specific Association Meetings, please click here