INVESTIGATIONS, INSPECTIONS, SPECIFIC INFORMATION REQUESTS, AND WARNING LETTERS

2310.1The Commission, its staff, or agents, shall periodically investigate and ascertain the quality and quantity of natural gas supplied to consumers in the District of Columbia.#

2310.2The Commission, its staff, or agents shall periodically investigate the methods employed by gas corporations or small gas operators under its jurisdiction in manufacturing, distributing, supplying, and transmitting gas for light, heat or power.#

2310.3Upon presentation of appropriate credentials, the Commission’s staff, or duly appointed agents, shall be authorized to enter upon, inspect and examine at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner the records and property of a gas corporation or small gas operator, or its agents or representatives, to the extent such records and property are relevant in determining compliance with the provisions of this chapter.#

2310.4The Office of Engineering may conduct periodic inspections of records and property in the possession, custody or control of the gas corporation or small gas operator to determine compliance with the federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. §§ 1671, et seq. or this chapter. Inspections shall be conducted pursuant to one (1) of the following: (a) Routine scheduling; (b) A complaint received from a member of the public; (c) Information obtained from a previous inspection; (d) Pipeline accident or incident; or (e) Whenever the Commission deems it appropriate to do so.#

2310.5An inspection shall include a thorough review of the operator’s records concerning inspection, operation, maintenance, and emergency procedures.#

2310.6Field inspection shall include operational checks of corrosion control provisions, overpressure and regulating equipment, odorization, repaired leaks, emergency valves, and any other components of the facility.#

2310.7The Commission’s Office of Engineering shall create and maintain the records of such inspections for a period of five (5) years.#

2310.8The Office of Engineering may send a gas corporation or small gas operator a specific information request. If so: (a) A gas corporation or small gas operator shall respond within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of a specific information request relating to a possible complaint, probable violation of gas safety regulation or gas incident report; (b) Except as provided in paragraph (a), a gas corporation or small gas operator shall respond within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a specific information request.#

2310.9Upon determining that a probable violation of 49 U.S.C. §§ 60101, et seq., or of this chapter or any regulation or order issued thereunder has occurred, the Director of the Office of Engineering, may issue a Warning Letter notifying the gas corporation or small gas operator of the probable violation and advising the gas corporation or small gas operator to correct the violation or be subject to appropriate enforcement action. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 33 DCR 6625, 6628 (October 24, 1986); as amended by Final Rulemaking published 60 DCR 7 (January 4, 2013).#