EQUITRANS INC — Notice of Probable Violation

120031003_Final Order_07192005.pdf, page 1Official PDFo @ U.S. Deporlment of Tronsporlolion Plpellne ond Hozqrdou! l oferiols sofety Admlnistrotion 400 Sevenlh Streel, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 JUL 1 I 2005 Ed Nolan Vice President Operations Equitable Resources 225 North Shore Drive, 4'n Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 5212-5861 Re: CPFNo. 1-2003-1003 Dear Mr. Nolan: Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the above-referenced case. It makes findings ofviolation and assesses a civil penalty of$5'000. It further finds that you have completed the actions specified in the Notice required to complywith the pipeline safety regulations. I acknowledge receipt of your wire transfer dated May 29,2003, fot ^Sj,OOO as payment in full of the civil penalty assessed in this Final Order. This case is now closed. your receiot of the Final Order constitutes service of that document under 49 C.F.R. $ 190.5. Sincerely, *,* fi"-- James Reynolds Pipeline Compliance Registry Office of Pipeline SafetY Enclosure William Gute, Region Director Eastern Region, OPS#

120031003_Final Order_07192005.pdf, page 2DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERTALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY WASHINGTON. DC 20590 In the Matter of Equitrans, L.P., Respondent. CPF No. l-2003-1003 FINAL ORDER On September 15 - 17,2002, pursuant 49 U.S.C. $ 60117, a representative of the Eastem Region, Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and a representative of the West Virginia Public Service Commission (?SC), as agent for the Ofiice of Pipeline Safety (OPS) conducted an on-site pipeline safetyinspection of Respondent's facilities and records ofthe Carnegie Interstate Pipeline Company (CIPCO) systems located in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. As a result of the inspection, the Director, Eastem Region, OPS' issued to Respondent, by letter dated May 1,2003,, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty and Proposed Compliance Order. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. $ 190.207, the Notice proposed a civil penalty of $5,000 for a certain alleged violation of Part 792, and proposed specific actions that Respondent must take to correct the alleged violation. Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated May 28,2003 (Response). Respondent did not contest the allegations of violation but provided information conceming the corrective actions it has taken. Respondent submitted a wire transfer in the amount of the proposed civil penalty ($5,000), waiving further right to respond, and authorizing the entry of this Final Order. FINDINGS OF VIOLATION In its Response, Respondent did not contest the alleged violations in the Notice. Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated the following section of 49 C.F.R. Part 192, as more fully described in the Notice: 49 C.F.R. 5 192.'745 failing to inspect each transmission line vaive that might be required during any emergency, specificallyblow-offvalves, a 10-inch mainline valve, and emergency valves, at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. This frnding ofviolation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent.#

120031003_Final Order_07192005.pdf, page 3COMPLIANCE ORDER The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to item 2 in the Notice. Under 49 U.S.C. $ 601 1 8(a), each person who engages in the transportation of gas or who owns or operates a pipeline facilityisrequiredtocomplywiththeapplicablesafetystandardsestablishedunderchapter60l. The Regional Director has indicated that Respondent has taken the following actions specified in the proposed compliance order: 1. Conducted a review ofits system to ensure that all emergency valves have been identified; z . Submitted a report outlining the results; and -J. Insnected a!1 emersencv valves. Accordingly, since compliance has been achieved with respect to this violation, the compliance terms are not included in this Order. WARNINGITEMS The Notice did not propose a civil penalty or corrective action for the Item 1, for Respondent failing to provide evidence that it conducted continuing educational programs to the public in the vicinity of the CIPCO pipeline facilities in Pennsylvania, but warned Respondent that it should take appropriate corrective action to correct this item. Respondent presented information in its response showing that it is addressing the cited items. Respondent is again wamed that if OPS finds a violation for any of these items in a subsequent inspection, enforcement action will be taken. Under 49 C.F.R. $ lg}.zls,Respondent has a right to submit a Petition for Reconsideration of this Final Order. The petition must be received within 20 days of Respondent's receipt of this Final Order and must contain a brief statement of the issue(s). The terms of the order, including any required comective action, remain in full effect unless the Associate Administrator, upon lequest, grants a stay. The terms and conditionff this Final Order are effective on receipt. I I JUL 1 I 2005 Date Issued Stacey L. GerardAssociate Administrator r^- D]-^l.;-- Q 4 fa+r, lur I IP9-trrrw u.!rv0J#