{"operation":"document","citation":"CPF 320021004","title":"NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO — Notice of Probable Violation","source_type":"enforcement","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2002-06-05","effective_on":null,"summary":"CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 192.459, 192.465(a), 192.465(b), 192.465(d), 192.614(c)(1), 192.615(c), 192.707(d)(2), 192.745.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-320021004.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-320021004.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-320021004","source_url":"https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/320021004","body":"Notice of Probable Violation involving NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.459,  192.465(a),  192.465(b),  192.465(d),  192.614(c)(1),  192.615(c),  192.707(d)(2),  192.745. The case was opened on 2002-06-05 and is reported as closed as of 2003-08-25. Proposed civil penalty: $22,750. Assessed civil penalty: $22,750. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.\n\nOfficial case documents:\n\n320021004.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320021004/320021004.pdf\n\n320021004_Final Order_08252003.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320021004/320021004_Final%20Order_08252003.pdf\n\n320021004_Final Order_08252003.pdf\n\n@\nU.S.Deportment\nof Tronsporfotion\nReseorchond\nSpeciol Progroms Administrotion\n400 Sevenlh St . S.W\nWashington, D.C 20590\nAUo 2 5 2003\nMr, Royce A. Ramsey\nVice President, Operations\nNorthern Natural Gas Company\n1111 South 103'd Street\nOmaha, NE 68124-1091\nRe: CPF No. 3-2002-1004\nDear Mr. Ramsey:\nEnclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the\nabove-referenced case. It makes findings of violation, assesses a civil penalty of $22,750, and\nacknowledges completion of conective action.\nAll actions required in the Compliance Order have been completed. I acknowledge receipt\nof, and accept yourwire transfer dated August 21, 2012,in the amount of $22,750 as payment in full\nof the civil penalty. Based on the recommendation ofthe Director, Central Region, this case is now\nclosed and no further enforcement action is contemplated with respect to the matters involved in the\ncase. Thank you for your cooperation in our joint effort to ensure pipeline safety.\nSincerely,\n\\ t! lh,NLL,\nv\n, Gwendolyn M. Hill\nPipeline Compliance Registry\nOffice of Pipeline Safety\nEnclosure\ncc: Pat Vaughan\nDirector - krtegrity Management\nCERTIFIED MAIL. RETURN RECEIPT REOUESTED\n\n\n\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nRESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION\nOFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY\nWASHINGTON. DC 20590\nIn the Matter of\nNorthern Natural Gas Company\nRespondent.\nCPF No. 3-2002-1004\nFINAL ORDER\nBetweenJuly200l andNovember2001, pursuantto 49U.S.C. $ 60117, representatives ofthe Office\nof Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the Iowa UtilityBoard, conducted on-site pipeline safety inspections\nof Respondent's facilities in Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. As aresult of\nthe inspection, the Director, Central Region, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated June 5,\n2002, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with\n49 C.F.R. 5 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had violated 49 C.F.R.Part 192\nand proposed that Respondent take certain measures to correct the alleged violation.\nRespondent responded to the Notice by letter dated August 15,2002 (Response). Respondent did\nnot contest the allegations of violation but provided information concerning the corrective actions\nit has taken. Respondent did not request ahearing, consequentlyRespondent waived its right to one.\nFINDINGS OF VIOLATION\nRespondent did not contest the alleged violations in the Notice. Accordingly, I find that Respondent\nviolated the following sections of 49 C.F.R.Part 192, as more fully described in the Notice:\n49 C.F.R. 5 192.465(a) - failure to test the cathodic protection test stations at least once a\nyear, with intervals not exceeding 15 months. There were 9 branch lines in the Platteville,\nWisconsin areathat exceeded the 15 month interval.\nLaFarge exceeded by\nPrarie Du Chien exceeded by\nMineral Point exceeded by\nDarlington exceeded by\nLake Delton exceeded by\nWisconsin Dells exceeded by\nWestby exceeded by\nViroqua exceeded by\nViola exceeded bv\n16 days\n12 days\n6 days\n6 days\n3 days\n3 days\n16 days\n16 days\n20 days\n\n\n\n2\n49 C.F.R. 5 192.745 - failure to inspect 51 mainline valves on line 730A,line 7308, line\n670c,line 670D, and line 6708 at intervals not exceeding 15 months.\nThese findings ofviolation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement action\ntaken against Respondent.\nCOMPLIANCE ORDER\nThe Notice proposed a compliance order. Respondent has demonstrated corrective action addressing\nthe items in the proposed compliance Order. The Director, Central Region, OPS has accepted these\nmeasures as adequately fulfilling the requirements of the regulations and no further action is needed\nwith respect to a compliance order.\nASSESSMENT OF PENALTY\nUnder 49 U.S.C. 5 60122, Respondent is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000 per\nviolation for each day of the violation up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any related series of\nviolations.\n49 U.S.C. g 60122 and 49 C.F.R. 5 190.225 require that, in determining the amount of the civil\npenalty, I consider the following criteria: nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, degree\nofRespondent's culpability, history of Respondent's prior offenses, Respondent's ability to pay the\npenalty, good faithbyRespondent in attempting to achieve compliance, the effect on Respondent's\nability to continue in business, and such other matters as justice may require.\nI assess a civil penalty in the amount of $22,750, already paid by Respondent. The terms and\nconditions of this Final Order are effective upon receipt.\nAUO 2 5 2oo3\nDate Issued\n{^\nAssociate Administrator\nfor Pipeline Safety","truncated":false,"body_characters":5398}