Public Awareness [49 CFR 192.616]

(A)A. Except for an operator of a master meter or petroleum gas system covered under Subsection J of this Section, each pipeline operator must develop and implement a written continuing public education program that follows the guidance provided in the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162 (Incorporated by Reference, see §507). [49 CFR 192.616(a)]#

(B)B. The operator's program must follow the general program recommendations of API RP 1162 and assess the unique attributes and characteristics of the operator's pipeline and facilities, Except as stated in Paragraph B.1 [49 CFR 192.616(b)] .#

(1)1. Regulatory inspections are not an acceptable alternative to conducting an annual audit for measuring program implementation as mentioned in API RP 1162 section 8.3.#

(C)C. The operator must follow the general program recommendations, including baseline and supplemental requirements of API RP 1162, unless the operator provides justification in its program or procedural manual as to why compliance with all or certain provisions of the recommended practice is not practicable and not necessary for safety [49 CFR 192.616(c)] .#

(D)D. The operator's program must specifically include provisions to educate the public, appropriate government organizations, and persons engaged in excavation related activities on (49 CFR 192.616(d)] :#

(1)1. use of a one-call notification system prior to excavation and other damage prevention activities [49 CFR 192.616(d)(1)] ;#

(2)2. possible hazards associated with unintended releases from a gas pipeline facility [49 CFR 192.616(d)(2)] ;#

(3)3. physical indications that such a release may have occurred [49 CFR 192.616(d)(3)] ;#

(4)4. steps that should be taken for public safety in the event of a gas pipeline release [49 CFR 192.616(d)(4)] ; and#

(5)5. procedures for reporting such an event [49 CFR 192.616(d)(5)] .#

(E)E. The program must include activities to advise affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of pipeline facility locations [49 CFR 192.616(e)] .#

(F)F. The program and the media used must be as comprehensive as necessary to reach all areas in which the operator transports gas [49 CFR 192.616(f)] .#

(G)G. The program must be conducted in English and in other languages commonly understood by a significant number and concentration of the non-English speaking population in the operator's area [49 CFR 192.616(g)] .#

(H)H. Operators in existence on June 20, 2005, must have completed their written programs no later than June 20, 2006. The operator of a master meter or petroleum gas system covered under Subsection J of this Section must complete development of its written procedure by June 13, 2008. Upon request, operators must submit their completed programs to PHMSA or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate state agency. [49 CFR 192.616(h)]#

(I)I. The operator's program documentation and evaluation results must be available for periodic review by appropriate regulatory agencies [49 CFR 192.616(i)] .#

(J)J. Unless the operator transports gas as a primary activity, the operator of a master meter or petroleum gas system is not required to develop a public awareness program as prescribed in Subsections A through G of this Section. Instead the operator must develop and implement a written procedure to provide its customers public awareness messages twice annually. If the master meter or petroleum gas system is located on property the operator does not control, the operator must provide similar messages twice annually to persons controlling the property. The public awareness message must include: [49 CFR 192.616(j)]#

(1)1. a description of the purpose and reliability of the pipeline; [49 CFR 192.616(j)(1)]#

(2)2. an overview of the hazards of the pipeline and prevention measures used; [49 CFR 192.616(j)(2)]#

(3)3. information about damage prevention; [49 CFR 192.616(j)(3)]#

(4)4. how to recognize and respond to a leak; and [49 CFR 192.616(j)(4)]#

(5)5. how to get additional information. [49 CFR 192.616(j)(5)]#

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:501 et seq.#

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 21:823 (August 1995), amended LR 30:1264 (June 2004), LR 33:480 (March 2007), LR 35:2807 (December 2009), LR 38:117 (January 2012).#