# ENABLE GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 220031006
- **title:** ENABLE GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-03-11
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 192.163(c), 192.167(a)(2), 192.167(a)(4)(ii), 192.179(b)(1), 192.463(a), 192.465(a), 192.465(d), 192.481, 192.703(a), 192.707(c), 192.731(c), 192.739, 192.745.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220031006.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220031006.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220031006
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/220031006
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving ENABLE GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192,  192.163(c),  192.167(a)(2),  192.167(a)(4)(ii),  192.179(b)(1),  192.463(a),  192.465(a),  192.465(d),  192.481,  192.703(a),  192.707(c),  192.731(c),  192.739,  192.745. The case was opened on 2003-03-11 and is reported as closed as of 2003-08-08. Proposed civil penalty: $34,000. Assessed civil penalty: $34,000. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

220031006.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220031006/220031006.pdf

220031006_final order_08082003.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220031006/220031006_final%20order_08082003.pdf

220031006_final order_08082003_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220031006/220031006_final%20order_08082003_text.pdf

220031006_final order_08082003_text.pdf

US Department
of Transportafton
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
400 Seventh Sl . S W
Washington 0 C 20590
Atf6
Mr. Walter Ferguson
Vice President, Operations
Centerpoint Energy Gas Transmission
Post Office Box 21734
525 Milam Street
Shreveport, LA 71151
Re: CPF No. 2-2003-1006
Dear Mr. Ferguson:
Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the
above-referenced case. It makes findings ofidolation'attdassesses acivilpenaltyof$34, 000. Your
receipt of the Final Order constitutes service of that document under 49 C. F. R. I'1190. 5.
I acknowledge receipt of, and accept the wire transfer dated April 17, 2003, in the amount
of $34, 000 as payment in full of the civil penalty. This case is now closed and no further
enforcement actions is contemplated with respect to the matters involved in this case. Thank you
for your cooperation in our joint effort to ensure pipeline safety.
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn M. Hill
Pipeline Compliance Registry
Office of Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT RE UESTED
AUG y5 2603



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, DC 20590
).
In the Matter of )
Centerpoint Energy Gas Transmission, )
)
Respondent )
CPF NO. 2-2003-1006
FINAL ORDER
Between June and September of 2002, pursuant to 49 U. S. C. $ 60117, a representative of the Office
of Pipeline Safety (OPS) conducted an on-site safety inspection of Respondent's facilities and
records in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee. As a result of the inspection, the
Director, Southern Region, OPS, issued to Respondent by letter dated March 11, 2003, a Notice of
Probable Violation and Proposed Civil Penalty (Notice). In accordance with 49 C. F. R. tJ 190. 207,
the Notice proposed finding that Respondent committed violations of 49 C. F. R. Part 192 and
proposed assessing a civil penalty of $34, 000 for the alleged violations.
FINDINGS OF V OLATI
Respondent responded by letter dated March 11, 2003, and did not contest the alleged violation of
$f 192. 703, 192. 465(a), 192. 465(d) in the Notice. Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated 49
C. F. R. Part 192, as more fully described in the Notice:
49 C F R. tJ 192 703(a) — failure to maintain records of line JM37 in accordance with Subpart
M prior to 2001;
49 C. F. R. tJ 1 92. 465(a) — failure to test the cathodic protection test stations at least once a
year, with intervals not exceeding 15 months; and
49 C. F. R. $192. 465(d) — failure to take prompt remedial action to correct the deficiencies
indicated by the monitoring;
The Notice (Item 12) alleged that Respondent had violated 49 C. F. R. )192. 731(c), by alleging that
the Emergency Shutdown System inspection and test at Hobbs Compressor Station exceeded 15
months by 39 days (6/13/2000 to 10/22/2001). Although Respondent waived its right to contest by
paying the penalty, in its response, Respondent noted that the ESD system at Hobbs station was
tested twice in 2001, but that the January 4, 2001 test was not entered into the record keeping system.



This does not excuse the failure to have the records available for the inspector at the time of the
inspection. Accordingly, I find that Respondent violated the following section of Part 192:
49 C. F. R. tj192. 709(c) — failure to have a record of an Emergency Shutdown System
inspection and test at Hobbs Compressor Station available.
These findings will be considered as prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement action against
Respondent.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U. S. C. tj 60122, Respondent is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100, 000 per
violation for each day of the violation up to a maximum of $1, 000, 000 for any related series of
violations.
49 U. S. C. tj 60122 and 49 C. F. R. tj190. 225 require that, in determining the amount of the civil
penalty, I consider the following criteria: nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, degree
of Respondent's culpability, history of Respondent's prior offenses, Respondent's ability to pay the
penalty, good faith by Respondent in attempting to achieve compliance, the effect on Respondent's
ability to continue in business, and such other matters as justice may require.
Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I assess a civil
penalty of $34, 000, already paid by Respondent. The terms and conditions of this Final Order are
effective upon receipt.
Date Issued
Stacey Gerard
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 5546
