{"operation":"document","citation":"CPF 120111003W","title":"COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC — Warning Letter","source_type":"enforcement","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2011-03-22","effective_on":null,"summary":"CLOSED warning letter citing 192.707(c), 192.751(c).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120111003w.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120111003w.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-120111003w","source_url":"https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/120111003W","body":"Warning Letter involving COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.707(c),  192.751(c). The case was opened on 2011-03-22 and is reported as closed as of 2011-03-22. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.\n\nOfficial case documents:\n\n120111003W_Operator Response_to_WL_04132011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120111003W/120111003W_Operator%20Response_to_WL_04132011.pdf\n\n120111003W_Warning Letter_03222011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120111003W/120111003W_Warning%20Letter_03222011.pdf\n\n120111003W_Warning Letter_03222011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/120111003W/120111003W_Warning%20Letter_03222011_text.pdf\n\n120111003W_Warning Letter_03222011_text.pdf\n\nU.S. Department 820 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 103\nOf Transportation West Trenton, NJ 08628\nPipeline and 609.989.2171\nHazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\nWARNING LETTER\nOVERNIGHT EXPRESS MAIL\nMarch 22, 2011\nMr. Victor Gaglio\nSr. Vice President of Operations & Engineering\nNiSource Gas Transmission & Storage\n1700 MacCorkle Avenue, SE\nCharleston, WV 25314\nCPF 1-2011-1003W\nDear Mr. Victor Gaglio:\nFrom September 21 through 24, 2009, representatives of New York Public Service Commission\n(NY PSC) acting as agent for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code inspected Columbia Gas\nTransmission Corp’s facility (CGT), which is a subsidiary of NiSource Gas Transmission &\nStorage, in Binghamton, New York.\nAs a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed probable violations of the\nPipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the\nprobable violation(s) are:\n1. §192.707 Line markers for mains and transmission lines.\n(c) Pipelines aboveground. Line markers must be placed and maintained along each\nsection of a main and transmission line that is located above ground in an area\naccessible to the public.\nCGT did not have line markers placed along each section of a main and transmission line that is\nlocated above ground in an area accessible to the public.\nAs ascertained by a site visit at Westover Station, fenced off assets and multiple buildings were\nnot physically controlled by the operator, therefore the area may be entered without difficulty.\nAt the time of the inspection, CGT did not have line markers at Westover Station. Furthermore,\n\n\n\nCPF 1-2011-1003W\nat the Corning Compressor Station, it was revealed that the existing Corning Compressor Station\nfacility had doubled in size with the addition of the Binghamton Pipeline Compressor Unit. This\ncompressor unit was added as a separate unit within the facility at this site. The area had\nundergone a massive re-sizing and re-grading change. However, the enlargement of the facility\nwas not demarcated with markers or placards containing required information.\nCGT must place line marker where aboveground pipeline are accessible to the public and\nnecessary to reduce the possibility of damage or interference.\n2. §192.751 Prevention of accidental ignition.\nEach operator shall take steps to minimize the danger of accidental ignition of gas in\nany structure or area where the presence of gas constitutes a hazard of fire or\nexplosion, including the following:\n(c) Post warning signs, where appropriate.\nCGT did not have warning signs where appropriate.\nAt the time of the inspection, warning signs were ready for installment but were not posted to\ncause awareness for prevention of accidental ignition at the Westover Station.\nCGT must post warning signs.\nUnder 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000\nfor each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any\nrelated series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents\ninvolved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty\nassessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the item(s) identified in this letter.\nFailure to do so will result in CGT being subject to additional enforcement action.\nNo reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, please address your correspondence to\nByron Coy, PE, Director, PHMSA Eastern Region, 820 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 103, West\nTrenton, NJ 08628 and refer to CPF 1-2011-1003W. Be advised that all material you submit in\nresponse to this enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe\nthat any portion of your responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C.\n552(b), along with the complete original document you must provide a second copy of the\ndocument with the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an\nexplanation of why you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment\nunder 5 U.S.C. 552(b).\nSincerely,\nBryon Coy, PE\nDirector, Eastern Region\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n120111003W_Warning Letter_03222011 Page 2 of 3","truncated":false,"body_characters":5169}