# NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P. — Notice of Probable Violation **Citation:** CPF 420075019 **Type / status:** enforcement / historical **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2007-05-21 CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.573(a)(2). ## Document text Notice of Probable Violation involving NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P.. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 195.573(a)(2). The case was opened on 2007-05-21 and is reported as closed as of 2010-09-16. Proposed civil penalty: $50,000. Assessed civil penalty: $50,000. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status. Official case documents: 420075019_FinalOrder _08312010.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_FinalOrder%20_08312010.pdf 420075019_FinalOrder _08312010_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_FinalOrder%20_08312010_text.pdf 420075019_Notice Letter_05212007.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_Notice%20Letter_05212007.pdf 420075019_operator response to notice letter_06192007.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_operator%20response%20to%20notice%20letter_06192007.pdf 420075019_Notice Letter_05212007.pdf U.S. Department of Transportation 8701 S. Gessner, Suite 1110 Houston, TX 77074 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY PROPOSED COMPLIANCE ORDER and CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED May 21, 2007 Mr. Richard Bluntzer Vice President, Pipeline Operations One Valero Way Nustar Logistics, L.P. San Antonio, Texas 78249 CPF No. 4-2007-5019 Dear Mr. Bluntzer: In 2004, a team of representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, conducted an your headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. In August 2005 a follow up pipeline safety inspection onsite pipeline safety irispection of your Corrosion Control manuals, records and procedures at of your Corrosion Control manuals, records and procedures was conducted at the PHMSA office in Houston, Texas. Concurrent field inspections were conducted during 2004. Valero Logistics Operations, LP) did not comply with the pipeline safety regulations located at As a result of the inspection, it appears that Nustar Logistics, L.P. (Nustar) (formerly known as Title 49, Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), Part 195. The following probable violations are §195.573 What must I do to monitor external corrosion control? (a) Protected pipelines. You must do the following to determine whether cathodi protection required by this subpart complies with Sec. 195.571: (2) Identify before December 29, 2003 or not more than 2 years after cathodic protection is installed, whichever comes later, the circumstances in which a close- interval survey or comparable technology is practicable and necessary to accomplish the objectives of paragraph 10.1.1.3 of NACE Standard RP0169-96 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 195.3). Nustar has not identified the circumstances in which a close interval survey should be pipelines are adequately protected. performed. As a result have not performed the close interval surveys to demonstrate that their Proposed Civil Penalty $100,000 for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed for any related series of violations. The Compliance Officer has reviewed the circumstances and supporting documentation involved in the above probable violation(s) and has recommended that you be preliminarily assessed a civil penalty of $[total amount] as follows: Item number PENALTY 1. $50,000 Proposed Compliance Order Materials Safety Administration proposes to issue a Compliance Order to Nustar Logistics, L.P. With respect to item 1 pursuant to 49 United States Code § 60118, the Pipeline and Hazardous Please refer to the Proposed Compliance Order, which is enclosed and made a part of this Response to this Notice in Compliance Proceedings. Please refer to this document and note the response options. Be Enclosed as part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline Operators advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your responsive material qualifies for must provide a second copy of the document with the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the complete original document you qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b). If you do not respond within 30 days confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe the redacted information Notice and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety to find facts as alleged in of receipt of this Notice, this constitutes a waiver of your right to contest the allegations in this this Notice without further notice to you and to issue a Final Order. In your correspondence on this matter, please refer to CPF 4-2007-5019 and for each document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible. Sincerely, Hem sals R. M. Seeley Pipeline and Hazardous Director, Southwest Region Material Safety Administration Enclosures: Proposed Compliance Order Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Compliance Proceedings PROPOSED COMPLIAilCE ORDER Pursuant to 49 United States Code $ 601 18, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposes to issue to Nustar Logistics, L.P. (Ntlstar)(fermerly known as Valero Logisticd Operations, LP) a Compliance Order incorporating the following remedial requiremeirts tcl ensure the compliance of Nustar Logistics L.P. with the pipeline safety regulations: 1. In regard to ltem 1 of the Notice pertaining to Nustar's pipeline systems, review Nustir's CP data collection and evaluation to ensure that data meets the regulatory requirements, including lR drop considerations and that the pipelines are protected- ln areas where the pipelines are not adequately protected, develop a plan and time table to improve the CP systems to bring Nustar into compliance. 2. Nustar shall maintain documentation of the improvement costs. Submit to the Director, Southwest Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 870'l Soutn Gessner, Suite 1'110, Houston, Texas 77074: o Results of surveys, assessments, and plans, with time table, must be submitted within 30 days following the receipt of the Final order . All items shall be completed within 180 days following the receipt of the Final Order. 3. Nustar shall maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total to R.M. Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Costs shall be reported in two categories: 1) total cost associated with preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and analyses, and 2) total cost associated with replacements, additions and other changes to pipeline infrastructure. 420075019_FinalOrder _08312010_text.pdf AUG 31 10 Mr. Todd Denton Vice President of Operations NuStar Logistics, L.P. One Valero Way San Antonio, Texas 78249 Re: CPF No. 4-2007-5019 Dear Mr. Denton: Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes findings of violation and assesses a civil penalty of $50,000. It further finds that NuStar Logistics, L.P. has completed the actions specified in the Notice to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. When the civil penalty has been paid, this enforcement action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by certified mail is deemed effective upon the date of mailing, or as otherwise provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Jeffrey D. Wiese Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety Enclosure cc: Mr. Rod Seeley, Director, Southwest Region, PHMSA Ms. Rebecca Fink, Counsel, NuStar Logistics, L.P. CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED [7009 1410 0000 2472 2896] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 ____________________________________ ) In the Matter of ) ) NuStar Logistics, L.P., ) CPF No. 4-2007-5019 ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) FINAL ORDER On various dates in 2004 and 2005, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of the facilities and records of NuStar Logistics, L.P. (NuStar or Respondent) in San Antonio, Texas. NuStar operates approximately 4578 miles of petroleum and liquid hydrocarbon pipelines in various states including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS (Director), issued to Respondent, by letter dated May 21, 2007, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty, and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that NuStar had violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.573 and proposed assessing a civil penalty of $50,000 for the alleged violation. The Notice also proposed ordering Respondent to take certain measures to correct the alleged violation. Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated June 19, 2007, as supplemented by letter dated July 20, 2007 (Response), contested the allegation of violation and requested a hearing. An informal hearing was subsequently held via telephone conference on December 31, 2008, with Larry White, Attorney, PHMSA Office of Chief Counsel, presiding. At the hearing, Respondent was represented by counsel. Following the hearing, NuStar submitted additional materials for the record by letter dated December 22, 2009. FINDING OF VIOLATION The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as follows: Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.573(a)(2), which states in relevant part: 2 § 195.573 – What must I do to monitor external corrosion control? (a) Protected pipelines. You must do the following to determine whether cathodic protection required by this subpart complies with §195.571: (2) Identify not more than 2 years after cathodic protection is installed, the circumstances in which a close-interval survey or comparable technology is practicable and necessary to accomplish the objectives of paragraph 10.1.1.3 of NACE Standard RP 0169 (incorporated by reference, see §195.3). Specifically, the Notice alleged that NuStar failed to identify the circumstances in which a close- interval survey is needed to accomplish the objectives of the cited standard which include assessing the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system and identifying areas of inadequate protection. In its June 19, 2007 Response, NuStar acknowledged that its corrosion control manual in place at the time of the inspection “did not identify the circumstances in which a close-interval survey or portions of its corrosion control manual in 2005 and enclosed copies of the revised procedures with its Response. During the hearing, NuStar stated that it had conducted some close-interval surveys prior to the inspection in 2004 on portions of its pipelines but did not provide any records documenting that this work was performed. Respondent did provide documentation showing that comparable technology would be used.”1 NuStar stated that it subsequently revised the relevant close-interval surveys were performed on approximately 1387 miles of pipe during 2006 through 2008 under the close-interval survey procedures it added to its manual in 2005 after PHMSA’s inspection. This work resulted in the installation of cathodic protection rectifiers and ground beds totaling $365,600 in 2006, $116,380 in 2007, and $851,794 in 2008. Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.573(a)(2) by failing to identify the circumstances in which a close-interval survey is needed to accomplish the objectives of paragraph 10.1.1.3 of NACE Standard RP 0169. This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent. ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed $100,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any related series of violations. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I must consider the following criteria: the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, including adverse impact on the environment; the degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history of Respondent’s prior offenses; the Respondent’s ability to pay the penalty and any effect that the penalty may have on its ability to continue doing business; and the good faith of Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. In addition, I may consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without any reduction because of subsequent damages, and such other matters as justice may require. 1 June 19, 2007 Response at page 1. 3 Item 1: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $50,000 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.573(a)(2) for failing to identify the circumstances in which a Close-Interval Survey is needed to accomplish the objectives of paragraph 10.1.1.3 of NACE Standard RP 0169. Maintaining continuous and effective cathodic protection is a key part of pipeline safety. Operators are obligated to exercise care in selecting electrical survey methods to assess the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system, provide base line operating data, locate areas of inadequate protection levels, and identify areas likely to be adversely affected by construction or stray currents. This enables operators to take remedial measures such as clearing shorts, repairing inoperative cathodic protection equipment or adding supplemental cathodic protection where needed to prevent corrosion which can lead to failures. In its Response and during the hearing, Respondent contended that the civil penalty amount proposed in the Notice should be reduced. First, Respondent argued that the increase in the amount of pipeline mileage on which close-interval surveys were performed during 2006 through 2008 was the result of a “discretionary decision” to obtain a base line for future risk assessments. Obtaining as base line, however, is one of the reasons for the close-interval survey requirement to begin with. Second, Respondent contended that it had taken a “proactive stance” by purchasing upgraded software and hardware, installing remote monitor units, and adding personnel to its corrosion staff prior to the issuance of the Notice. I acknowledge that NuStar took action to address the situation. These activities, however, took place after PHMSA’s inspection and therefore do not constitute a good faith effort to comply. Third, Respondent argued that the violation involved written procedures and that no leak or safety hazard occurred. While Respondent was fortunate that a corrosion leak did not occur, the purpose of corrosion control measures is to prevent corrosion from happening in the first place. Finally, Respondent questioned whether PHMSA had imposed lower penalties on other operators for violating this same regulation. PHMSA, however, assesses civil penalties in accordance with the assessment criteria set forth in 49 U.S.C. § 60122(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225. When PHMSA proposes a penalty, it examines the allegations and supporting evidence on a case-by-case basis and applies the relevant assessment criteria to those particular facts. This analysis generally includes, among other things, a review of an operator’s compliance history, how the alleged non-compliance was discovered and its duration, whether the respondent made a good faith effort to comply with the regulation prior to the inspection, and whether there was any immediate or potential safety or environmental impact. This fact-sensitive, case-by-case approach involves the consideration of risk factors and complexities unique to each pipeline system and under the relevant statute PHMSA has never represented that it would adopt a standard penalty schedule. I would also note that the penalty assessed in this case is consistent with another recent enforcement case in which PHMSA proposed a similar amount for an alleged violation of § 195.573. 2 2 See In the Matter of Kinder Morgan CO2 Logistics Operations, L.P., Notice of Probable Violation, CPF 4-2006- 5003(Jan. 20, 2006). The average amount proposed and/or assessed against eight other operators for violations of 49 C.F.R.§ 195.573(a)(2), a closely related regulation, is $32,300 (not including instances where a warning was given). 4 Respondent has presented no information or arguments warranting a reduction in the penalty amount proposed in the Notice for this violation. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess Respondent a total civil penalty of $50,000 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.573(a)(2). Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations (49 C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to be made by wire transfer through the Federal Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U.S. Treasury. Detailed instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMZ-341), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, P.O. Box 269039, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125. The Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8893. Failure to pay the $50,000 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3717, 31 C.F.R. § 901.9 and 49 C.F.R. § 89.23. Pursuant to those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a district court of the United States. COMPLIANCE ORDER The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Item 1 in the Notice for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.573(a)(2). Under 49 U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the transportation of hazardous liquids or who owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the applicable safety standards established under chapter 601. The Director indicates that Respondent has taken the following actions specified in the proposed compliance order: 1. Respondent added procedures to its corrosion control manual to identify the circumstances in which a close-interval survey is needed to accomplish the objectives of paragraph 10.1.1.3 of NACE Standard RP 0169. 2. Respondent collected and reviewed cathodic protection data, including IR drop measurements, and developed and submitted a plan and a time table to conduct close-interval surveys and cathodic protection system improvements as required. 3. Respondent submitted documentation on the results of the surveys, assessments, plans, and remedial work and maintained documentation of the costs associated with fulfilling the compliance requirements. Accordingly, I find that compliance has been achieved with respect to this violation. Therefore, the compliance terms proposed in the Notice are not included in this Order. Under 49 C.F.R. § 190.215, Respondent has the right to submit a petition for reconsideration of this Final Order. Should Respondent elect to do so, the petition must be sent to: Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd 5 Floor, Washington, DC 20590, with a copy sent to the Office of Chief Counsel, PHMSA, at the same address. PHMSA will accept petitions received no later than 20 days after receipt of service of the Final Order by the Respondent, provided they contain a brief statement of the issue(s) and meet all other requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 190.215. The filing of a petition automatically stays the payment of any civil penalty assessed but does not stay any other provisions of the Final Order, including any required corrective actions. If Respondent submits payment of the civil penalty, the Final Order becomes the final administrative decision and the right to petition for reconsideration is waived. The terms and conditions of this Final Order are effective upon service in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.5. ___________________________________ __________________________ Jeffrey D. Wiese Date Issued Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa-enforcement` - SHA-256: `19f52f9ccc319c767516c192fbbd7b572739c28e35c0da6d53aa4c4d721b887b` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:44:44.458Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T16:34:30.423Z - Document slug: `phmsa-enforcement-420075019` ### Source metadata ```json { "cpf": "420075019", "operator": "NUSTAR LOGISTICS, L.P.", "region": "Southwest", "pipelineType": "INTERSTATE LIQUID ONSHORE", "caseStatus": "CLOSED", "citedSections": [ "195.573(a)(2)" ], "dataAsOf": "08/04/2026 12PM", "caseDataAsOf": "2026-08-04", "attachmentCount": 4, "attachments": [ { "name": "420075019_FinalOrder _08312010.pdf", "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_FinalOrder%20_08312010.pdf", "bytes": 286780, "category": "agency_document" }, { "name": "420075019_FinalOrder _08312010_text.pdf", "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_FinalOrder%20_08312010_text.pdf", "bytes": 34501, "category": "agency_document" }, { "name": "420075019_Notice Letter_05212007.pdf", "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_Notice%20Letter_05212007.pdf", "bytes": 188408, "category": "agency_document" }, { "name": "420075019_operator response to notice letter_06192007.pdf", "url": "https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/420075019/420075019_operator%20response%20to%20notice%20letter_06192007.pdf", "bytes": 786275, "category": "party_submission" } ], "extractedAgencyDocumentCount": 2, "attachmentPolicy": "Official attachment links are retained. 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