# NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO — Notice of Probable Violation

- **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:** Not available
- **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.
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- **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.

Official case documents:

320021004.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320021004/320021004.pdf

320021004_Final Order_08252003.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/320021004/320021004_Final%20Order_08252003.pdf

320021004_Final Order_08252003.pdf

@
U.S.Deportment
of Tronsporfotion
Reseorchond
Speciol Progroms Administrotion
400 Sevenlh St . S.W
Washington, D.C 20590
AUo 2 5 2003
Mr, Royce A. Ramsey
Vice President, Operations
Northern Natural Gas Company
1111 South 103'd Street
Omaha, NE 68124-1091
Re: CPF No. 3-2002-1004
Dear Mr. Ramsey:
Enclosed is the Final Order issued by the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety in the
above-referenced case. It makes findings of violation, assesses a civil penalty of $22,750, and
acknowledges completion of conective action.
All actions required in the Compliance Order have been completed. I acknowledge receipt
of, and accept yourwire transfer dated August 21, 2012,in the amount of $22,750 as payment in full
of the civil penalty. Based on the recommendation ofthe Director, Central Region, this case is now
closed and no further enforcement action is contemplated with respect to the matters involved in the
case. Thank you for your cooperation in our joint effort to ensure pipeline safety.
Sincerely,
\ t! lh,NLL,
v
, Gwendolyn M. Hill
Pipeline Compliance Registry
Office of Pipeline Safety
Enclosure
cc: Pat Vaughan
Director - krtegrity Management
CERTIFIED MAIL. RETURN RECEIPT REOUESTED



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
WASHINGTON. DC 20590
In the Matter of
Northern Natural Gas Company
Respondent.
CPF No. 3-2002-1004
FINAL ORDER
BetweenJuly200l andNovember2001, pursuantto 49U.S.C. $ 60117, representatives ofthe Office
of Pipeline Safety (OPS) and the Iowa UtilityBoard, conducted on-site pipeline safety inspections
of Respondent's facilities in Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. As aresult of
the inspection, the Director, Central Region, OPS, issued to Respondent, by letter dated June 5,
2002, a Notice of Probable Violation and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with
49 C.F.R. 5 190.207, the Notice proposed finding that Respondent had violated 49 C.F.R.Part 192
and proposed that Respondent take certain measures to correct the alleged violation.
Respondent responded to the Notice by letter dated August 15,2002 (Response). Respondent did
not contest the allegations of violation but provided information concerning the corrective actions
it has taken. Respondent did not request ahearing, consequentlyRespondent waived its right to one.
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
Respondent did not contest the alleged violations in the Notice. Accordingly, I find that Respondent
violated the following sections of 49 C.F.R.Part 192, as more fully described in the Notice:
49 C.F.R. 5 192.465(a) - failure to test the cathodic protection test stations at least once a
year, with intervals not exceeding 15 months. There were 9 branch lines in the Platteville,
Wisconsin areathat exceeded the 15 month interval.
LaFarge exceeded by
Prarie Du Chien exceeded by
Mineral Point exceeded by
Darlington exceeded by
Lake Delton exceeded by
Wisconsin Dells exceeded by
Westby exceeded by
Viroqua exceeded by
Viola exceeded bv
16 days
12 days
6 days
6 days
3 days
3 days
16 days
16 days
20 days



2
49 C.F.R. 5 192.745 - failure to inspect 51 mainline valves on line 730A,line 7308, line
670c,line 670D, and line 6708 at intervals not exceeding 15 months.
These findings ofviolation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement action
taken against Respondent.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order. Respondent has demonstrated corrective action addressing
the items in the proposed compliance Order. The Director, Central Region, OPS has accepted these
measures as adequately fulfilling the requirements of the regulations and no further action is needed
with respect to a compliance order.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U.S.C. 5 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. g 60122 and 49 C.F.R. 5 190.225 require that, in determining the amount of the civil
penalty, I consider the following criteria: nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation, degree
ofRespondent's culpability, history of Respondent's prior offenses, Respondent's ability to pay the
penalty, good faithbyRespondent in attempting to achieve compliance, the effect on Respondent's
ability to continue in business, and such other matters as justice may require.
I assess a civil penalty in the amount of $22,750, already paid by Respondent. The terms and
conditions of this Final Order are effective upon receipt.
AUO 2 5 2oo3
Date Issued
{^
Associate Administrator
for Pipeline Safety
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