Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices; Limited Suspension of Compliance Dates

Passage 1[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 7133-7134] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-2955] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. PS-126; Notice 3] RIN 2137-AB71 Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices; Limited Suspension of Compliance Dates AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Limited Suspension of Enforcement for compliance with final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: By final rule published April 12, 1994, RSPA required that new and replaced pipeline facilities be constructed to accommodate inspection by instrumented internal inspection devices commonly known as ``smart pigs.'' Two petitioners requested reconsideration of that rule as it applies to gas pipelines and a stay of the compliance date. In response to these petitions, RSPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to modify the rule and extend the compliance dates with respect to certain gas transmission lines. Because of the need to evaluate the numerous comments to proposals in the NPRM, RSPA is unable to complete rulemaking action on that notice by the proposed compliance date with respect to gas transmission lines in less populated areas. This document announces a suspension of enforcement for compliance with the final rule requirements for certain gas transmission lines. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert C. Garnett, (202) 366-2036, Office of Pipeline Safety, regarding the subject matter of this notice, or Dockets Unit, (202) 366-5046 for copies of this notice or other materials in the docket.#

Passage 2SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 12, 1994, RSPA published a Final Rule ``Passage of Internal Inspection Devices'' (59 FR 17275) that required certain new and existing pipelines on which replacements are made to accommodate the passage of smart pigs. On May 4, 1994, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) filed a ``Request for a Stay of the Effective Date [May 12, 1994] of the Final Rule; Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices.'' Also, on May 10, 1994, INGAA filed a ``Petition of Reconsideration of the Final Rule; Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices.'' Additionally, on May 10, 1994, the American Gas Association (AGA) filed a ``Request for Administrative Stay of the May 12, 1994 effective date and Petition for Reconsideration of RSPA's Final Rule on Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices.'' On May 12, 1994, RSPA advised INGAA, AGA and the American Petroleum Institute that, until further notice, it would not enforce the requirement that gas and liquid operators remove all obstructions in the ``line section'' that prevent the passage of smart pigs whenever, the line pipe, valve, fitting or other line component is replaced. However, RSPA stated that the suspension did not effect the requirement, effective on May 12, 1994, that operators design and construct certain new onshore and offshore pipelines or the actual line pipe, valve, fitting or other component replaced to accommodate smart pigs. On September 30, 1994, RSPA published an NPRM (Notice 2) ``Passage of Instrumented Internal Inspection Devices'' (59 FR 49896) that responded to the requests and petitions from the two gas pipeline associations. In Notice 2, RSPA: (1) Stated that its May 12, 1994, suspension (above) of enforcement with respect to hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines was lifted effective September 30, 1994, and [[Page 7134]] compliance would be enforced; (2) proposed exceptions to the line section modification requirement with respect to certain gas transmission lines in Class 1 and 2 locations; (3) proposed exceptions with respect to all but certain new offshore gas transmission lines; and (4) proposed that an operator replacing line pipe, valve, fitting, or other line component in a gas transmission line in a Class 1 or 2 location would not need to comply with the requirement to modify the line section until February 2,#

Passage 31995. There has been extensive comment as well as a formal recommendation by the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee to reconsider the proposals in Notice 2 (above). However, commenters did not object to delaying enforcement of the requirement to modify line sections in gas transmission lines; instead several commenters urged continuation of the stay of enforcement until after completion of the rulemaking proceedings. Thus, in order to evaluate fully these comments, RSPA has decided to continue a limited stay of enforcement for compliance with the final rule with respect to modification of line sections in onshore gas transmission lines; and with respect to new and existing offshore gas transmission lines. This suspension of enforcement will remain in effect until RSPA completes the evaluation of the comments to Notice 2 and sets out the determination with respect to those comments and establishes new compliance dates in a subsequent rulemaking. Pipeline operators are cautioned that the requirements of the April 12, 1994, final rule for design and construction to accommodate the passage of smart pigs will be enforced for: Hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines; new onshore gas transmission lines; and the actual replaced line pipe, valve, fitting, or other line component in onshore gas transmission lines. Issued in Washington, DC on January 30, 1995. George W. Tenley, Jr., Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 95-2955 Filed 2-6-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P#