# 39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, R. 57.2 - NATURAL GAS QUALIFICATION PROGRAM

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, R. 57.2
- **title:** 39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, R. 57.2 - NATURAL GAS QUALIFICATION PROGRAM
- **source type:** regulation
- **agency:** Mississippi Public Service Commission
- **status:** current
- **official:** true
- **published on:** Not available
- **effective on:** 2014-02-15
- **summary:** NATURAL GAS QUALIFICATION PROGRAM. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY: RULE 57.2. 100. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY: To ensure that every Natural Gas Distribution system in Mississippi is in compliance with 49- CFR-191-199, as is or hereinafter amended, and promotes full compliance with said code. This includes but is not limited to natural gas distribution and natural gas transmission facilities. 105. O
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- **source url:** https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACCode/00000049c.pdf
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PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY:
RULE 57.2.
100. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY:
To ensure that every Natural Gas Distribution system in Mississippi is in compliance with 49-
CFR-191-199, as is or hereinafter amended, and promotes full compliance with said code. This
includes but is not limited to natural gas distribution and natural gas transmission facilities.
105. OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS:
RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE:
Responsibility for the safety and sustained prudent operation of the gas system shall be shared by
the governing body of the gas system. Regardless of retention or release of an operator, the
governing body shall assume all responsibility for the safe operation of the gas system action(s)
and shall be held accountable by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Gas Districts/Cities/Townships/Private establishments providing natural gas to consumers shall
retain a natural gas operator. The candidate for the operator position shall complete qualification
as stated by the authority of the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Each operator, prior to
operating a pipeline facility in the state of Mississippi shall complete the requirements as
follows:
(1) INITIAL QUALIFICATION:
a. 100 hours of training specific to operation of pipeline facilities. A master meter or
other operator may be given credit toward his or her hours of training at 20 hours

per year for a maximum of five years. The Mississippi Public Service
Commission shall determine the amount of credit given.
b. The covered tasks list as shown below may present a certain amount of danger to
the public and consumers. These tasks require a deeper understanding of the
subject material than most other tasks. These tasks are referred to as critical
covered tasks and should be understood prior to an operator directing a gas
system. New operators shall be allowed 90 days to be trained and qualified for the
eight tasks. The operator shall be in compliance with all covered tasks as
addressed in the Operator Qualification Program of the gas system that is being
operated by said operator. The operator shall accomplish the complete training
and qualification on all tasks within twelve months from the date appointed. The
tasks referred to herein shall be known as “Critical Covered” tasks:
1- Leak Investigations and odor complaints
2- Accidental Release of natural gas
3- Purging of natural gas pipelines
4- Pressure testing to establish gas service
5- Odorant/Odorization
6- Gas System Connect/Disconnect
7- Inspecting Pressure regulating stations
8- Operation and Maintenance of Valves
(2) CONTINUING QUALIFICATION
Classroom instructional training:
a. Minimum of 21 hours for master meter operators;
b. Minimum of 36 hours for all other operators.
After completing his or her initial qualification, a master meter operator must maintain 21
hours of continuing education, 7 minimum hours per year. All other operators must
maintain 36 hours of continuing education, 12 minimum hours per year. Continuing
education hours shall be obtained by attending a Mississippi Public Service Commission
approved course of instruction. An operator shall have 3 years after completing his or her
initial qualification to accumulate his or her continuing education hours.
(3) LOSS OF OPERATOR
In the event of loss of operator, due to illness, death, discharge or other legitimate cause,
notice shall be given to the Commission within twenty four (24) hours, and the continued
operation of such system without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for
a period not to exceed 180 days as long as the system is in good standing as determined
by the Director of Pipeline Safety. A petition for extension showing good cause must be
presented to the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
(4) GENERAL
a. Hours may not be transferred to any other individual.

b. No system subject to the provisions of this rule shall be required to have more
than one operator meeting the qualifications set forth in paragraph A of this rule.
110. DEFINITIONS:
ASSOCIATION: The Mississippi Natural Gas Association
COMMISSION: The Mississippi Public Service Commission.
GAS: As defined by 49 CFR 192, gas means natural gas, flammable gas, or gas which is toxic or
corrosive.
HAZARDOUS LIQUID: Petroleum, petroleum products, CO2 or anhydrous ammonia.
MASTER METER OPERATION: A pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited
to a definable area, such as a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment complex, where
the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas distribution
pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either
purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as rents.
MUNICIPALITY - A city, county, or other political subdivision of a state.
OPERATOR - An individual having primary responsibility operating, maintaining pipeline
facilities.
SYSTEM - Any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation association,
municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association and including any trustee,
receiver, assignee, or personal representative therefore.
PIPELINE SYSTEM: A pipeline system that may be natural gas distribution, natural gas
transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline.
STATE - The State of Mississippi.
TRANSPORTATION OF GAS - The distribution of natural gas or hazardous liquids to the
public for compensation.
CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS:
CLASS A SYSTEMS:
Natural gas distribution systems of 20,000 or more meters or 100 miles or more of transmission
pipelines and satisfy the requirements of this administrative rule by demonstrating to the
Commission that by training and education the operators of the systems have met the standards
for certification and therefore do not need to have individually named operators.

CLASS B SYSTEMS:
Natural gas distribution systems of less than 20,000 meters and more than 3,000 meters or less
than 100 and more than 50 miles of transmission pipelines may elect to meet Class A standards
or Class C standards.
CLASS C SYSTEMS:
Natural gas distribution systems of less than 3,000 meters or less than 50 miles of transmission
pipelines are required to have individually named operators.
CLASS D SYSTEMS: MASTER METER OPERATION
Those persons who manage or are responsible for a Master Meter operation.
115. DUTIES, MEMBERSHIPS, MEETINGS AND EXPENSES:
1. There shall be an Advisory Committee established to assist the Commission and
Association in the certification of natural gas operators and the regulatory program
thereafter. The duties of the Committee shall be to consult with these agencies in all
matters pertaining to certification programs and make appropriate recommendations
regarding rules and procedures. The Committee shall consist of (7) members as follows:
Four (4) persons, each representing the four (4) classes, elected in staggered terms by the
Association, two (2) persons, at large selected by the Committee to serve at pleasure of
the Committee, one (1) appointed representative of the Mississippi Public Service
Commission.
2. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee shall be elected by and from the Committee
membership. The Committee shall meet at least twice per year at the call of the
Chairman. Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed by their respective
organization only, and not by Committee, Association, or Commission.
3. The minutes shall be recorded and filed with the Public Service Commission.
120. APPEALS
Any operator, system, or master meter operation aggrieved by this administrative rule,
must file a petition stating the grievance to the Committee. The Committee will
recommend to the Mississippi Public Service Commission the possible solution that the
Committee feels is appropriate. Final decision in all grievances rests with the Mississippi
Public Service Commission.
125. PENALTIES

Any operator of system found by the Commission, or any duly designated hearing officer
appointed thereby, to be in violation of any of these provisions or any rule, regulation or
order of the Public Service Commission, shall be subject to fines and/or penalties as
provided by law. *
* Rule 57.2 As amended by Order of the Commission in Docket 1997-AD-508, effective January
1, 1998.
* Rule 57.2 As amended by Order of the Commission in Docket 2013-AD-196, effective
February 15, 2014.
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