Gas leak classification and repair

official summaryN.J.A.C. 14:7-1.19 is proposed to require pipeline operators to classify the severity of natural gas leaks in a standardized manner and to conduct leak repairs within a prescribed time period. The Board's experience with leaks indicates that these requirements are necessary for both public safety and reducing Statewide methane emissions, which mitigates the potential hazard that leaks pose to the environment.#

adopted amendment14:7-1.19 Gas leak classification and repair (a) An operator shall investigate each gas leak and assign a grade classification upon discovery based on the severity of the leak. Operators who repair all leaks when found, meaning they treat all leaks as Grade 1 leaks, are exempt from the grading requirements of this section. Effective July 1, 2023, leaks shall be graded and prioritized for repair as follows: 1. Grade 1: Grade 1 leaks represent an existing or probable hazard to persons, property, or the environment that shall be repaired immediately or require continuous action until the hazard is eliminated. The operator shall take all measures necessary, consistent with established safety practices and procedures, to eliminate the hazard. The existence of an environmental hazard shall be determined by the operator based upon the estimated volume of gas released to the atmosphere over a period of time. All Grade 1 leaks must be permanently repaired immediately, not to exceed one week from the date of detection, unless prevented by extenuating circumstances that shall be reported to Board staff. 2. Grade 2: Grade 2 leaks are determined by the operator to be non- hazardous at the time of detection, but pose an environmental threat and have the potential to become a future hazard to persons or property. Grade 2 leaks shall be repaired within six months from the date of detection. The existence of an environmental threat shall be determined by the operator based upon the estimated volume of gas released to the atmosphere over a period of time. The operator shall reevaluate all Grade 2 leaks at least once every 30 days until the leak is eliminated. Grade 2 leaks detected on pipelines scheduled for replacement within one year of detection may have their scheduled repair extended for an additional six months, provided the leaks continue to be reevaluated every 30 days. Grade 2 leaks detected before July 1, 2023, shall be considered legacy leaks. All Grade 2 legacy leaks shall be permanently repaired within two years of July 1, 2023, with at least 50 percent of the legacy leaks permanently repaired by (CITE 55 N.J.R. 1208) NEW JERSEY REGISTER, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2023 ADOPTIONS PUBLIC UTILITIES July 1, 2024. Grade 2 legacy leaks shall be reevaluated based on the operator's maintenance practices in effect at the time of leak detection. 3. Grade 3: Grade 3 leaks are determined by the operator to be non- hazardous at the time of detection and are expected to remain non- hazardous to persons and property, but pose a potential environmental threat. The existence of a potential environmental threat shall be determined by the operator based upon the estimated volume of gas released to the atmosphere over a period of time. Grade 3 leaks shall be reevaluated every six months from the date the leak was detected until the leak is eliminated. All Grade 3 leaks must be eliminated within two years of detection. Grade 3 leaks detected on pipelines scheduled for replacement within three years of detection may have their scheduled repair extended for an additional year, provided the leaks continue to be reevaluated every six months. Grade 3 leaks discovered before July 1, 2023, shall be considered legacy leaks. All Grade 3 legacy leaks shall be permanently repaired within four years of July 1, 2023, with at least 25 percent of the total legacy leaks repaired in each 12-month interval. Grade 3 legacy leaks shall be reevaluated based on the operator's maintenance practices in effect at the time of leak discovery. (b) Leak grade classifications at (a) above shall be determined using the criteria and conditions listed at Table 1 below. Where one or more of the criteria identified below are present, the operator shall assign to the leak the grade of the greatest severity for which any criteria are present: Table 1 Criteria for Determining Leak Classification Leak Grade Classification Grade 1-Most Severe Required Action i. Escaping gas resulting in unintentional ignition. ii. Any leak that can be seen, heard, or felt and is in a location that may endanger the general public or property. iii. Any leak within 10 feet of an exterior wall of a building or where gas would likely migrate to an exterior wall of a building. iv. Any reading of gas, which has migrated into or under a building, or into a tunnel. v. Any leak on a pipeline operating at or above 125 psig. vi. Any leak with a 20 percent or greater LEL reading in any enclosed space. vii. Any leak that in the judgment of operator personnel at the scene, is considered an immediate hazard. viii. Any above ground leak that is not able to be permanently fixed immediately upon discovery by lubrication, adjustment, or tightening. N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.19(a)1 i. Any leak with a reading below 20 percent of the LEL in any enclosed space. ii. Any leak detected in a continuously paved area from the inside curb to the exterior wall of a building with a 10 percent or greater LEL reading taken at a distance greater than 10 feet but no greater than 20 feet from the wall. iii. Any leak detected in a continuously paved area from the inside curb to the exterior wall of a building with a 30 percent or greater LEL reading taken at a distance greater than 20 feet but no greater than 40 feet from the wall. iv. Any leak detected in an unpaved area from the inside curb to the exterior wall of a building with a 20 percent or greater LEL reading taken at a distance greater than 10 feet but no greater than 20 feet from the wall. v. Any leak detected in an unpaved area from the inside curb to the exterior wall of a building with a 40 percent or greater LEL reading taken at a distance greater than 20 feet but no greater than 40 feet from the wall. Grade 2 N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.19(a)2 Any leak that is not classified as a Grade 1 or Grade 2. Grade 3-Least Severe N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.19(a)3 (c) The operator shall ensure that every person with job duties or responsibilities that include the classification of gas leaks is trained and qualified pursuant to 49 CFR Part 192.805 to ensure proper leak classification. (d) An operator shall implement and train, all employees who may respond to a gas leak emergency on incident command procedures. Incident command procedures shall include notifying, identifying, and leveraging 911, police, and firefighters for local emergency response mutual assistance and specify procedures for evacuations, when necessary.#