# NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CO OF AMERICA (KMI) — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 22023016NOPV
- **title:** NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CO OF AMERICA (KMI) — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2023-08-17
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 191.22(c)(1)(i).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-22023016nopv.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-22023016nopv.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-22023016nopv
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/22023016NOPV
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CO OF AMERICA (KMI). PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 191.22(c)(1)(i). The case was opened on 2023-08-17 and is reported as closed as of 2023-10-27. Proposed civil penalty: $78,500. Assessed civil penalty: $78,500. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

22023016NOPV_Final Order_10172023_(21-209691).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/22023016NOPV/22023016NOPV_Final%20Order_10172023_(21-209691).pdf

22023016NOPV_Final Order_10172023_(21-209691)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/22023016NOPV/22023016NOPV_Final%20Order_10172023_(21-209691)_text.pdf

22023016NOPV_Operator Response to Notice_09062023_(21-209691).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/22023016NOPV/22023016NOPV_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_09062023_(21-209691).pdf

22023016NOPV_PCP_08172023_(21-209691).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/22023016NOPV/22023016NOPV_PCP_08172023_(21-209691).pdf

22023016NOPV_PCP_08172023_(21-209691)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/22023016NOPV/22023016NOPV_PCP_08172023_(21-209691)_text.pdf

22023016NOPV_Final Order_10172023_(21-209691)_text.pdf

October 17, 2023
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: kenneth grubb@kindermorgan.com
Mr. Kenneth Grubb
Chief Operating Officer
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, LLC
1001 Louisiana Street, Suite 1000
Houston, Texas 77002
Re: CPF No. 2-2023-016-NOPV
Dear Mr. Grubb:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of
violation and assesses a civil penalty of $78,500. When the civil penalty has been paid, this
enforcement action will be closed. Service of the Final Order by e-mail is effective upon the
date of transmission and acknowledgement of receipt as provided under 49 C.F.R. § 190.5.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Alan K. Mayberry
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
Enclosures (Final Order and NOPV)
cc: Mr. James A. Urisko, Director, Southern Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA
Mr. Ronald S. Bessette, Vice President, Operations, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of
America LLC, ron_bessette@kindermorgan.com
Mr. Jaime Hernandez, Director, Engineering: Codes and Standards, Natural Gas Pipeline
Company of America LLC, jaime_hernandez@kindermorgan.com
CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT REQUESTED



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
____________________________________
)
In the Matter of )
)
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of )
America LLC, ) CPF No. 2-2023-016-NOPV
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
FINAL ORDER
On August 17, 2023, pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Director, Southern Region, Office of
Pipeline Safety (OPS), issued a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Civil Penalty
(Notice) to Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America LLC (Respondent). The Notice proposed
finding that Respondent had violated the pipeline safety regulations in 49 C.F.R. Part 191 and
proposed a civil penalty of $78,500. Respondent did not contest the allegations of violation or
the proposed civil penalty.
Based upon a review of all of the evidence, pursuant to § 190.213, I find Respondent violated the
pipeline safety regulations listed below, as more fully described in the enclosed Notice, which is
incorporated by reference:
49 C.F.R. § 191.22(c)(1)(i) (Item 1) ─ Respondent failed to notify
PHMSA, not later than 60 days before the event, of construction or any
planned rehabilitation, replacement, modification, upgrade, uprate, or
update of a facility that costs $10 million or more.
This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.223, Respondent is assessed a
civil penalty amount of $78,500.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days of service. Federal regulations (49
C.F.R. § 89.21(b)(3)) require such payment to be made by wire transfer through the Federal
Reserve Communications System (Fedwire), to the account of the U.S. Treasury. Detailed
instructions are contained in the enclosure. Questions concerning wire transfers should be
directed to: Financial Operations Division (AMK-325), Federal Aviation Administration, Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 S MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 79169.
The Financial Operations Division telephone number is (405) 954-8845.



Failure to pay the $78,500 civil penalty will result in accrual of interest at the current annual rate
in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 3717, 31 C.F.R. § 901.9 and 49 C.F.R. § 89.23. Pursuant to
those same authorities, a late penalty charge of six percent (6%) per annum will be charged if
payment is not made within 110 days of service. Furthermore, failure to pay the civil penalty
may result in referral of the matter to the Attorney General for appropriate action in a district
court of the United States.
The terms and conditions of this order are effective upon service in accordance with 49 C.F.R.
§ 190.5.
October 17, 2023
___________________________________ _________________________
Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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