# MID - VALLEY PIPELINE CO — Notice of Probable Violation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 42023034NOPV
- **title:** MID - VALLEY PIPELINE CO — Notice of Probable Violation
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2023-05-08
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 195.412(a), 195.420(a), 195.432(b), 195.505(i), 195.52(a)(3), 195.581(a), 195.583(a).
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42023034nopv.md
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/42023034NOPV
**body:**

Notice of Probable Violation involving MID - VALLEY PIPELINE CO. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 195.412(a),  195.420(a),  195.432(b),  195.505(i),  195.52(a)(3),  195.581(a),  195.583(a). The case was opened on 2023-05-08 and is reported as closed as of 2025-05-15. Proposed civil penalty: $119,000. Assessed civil penalty: $118,300. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

42023034NOPV_Closure Letter_05152025_(22-232741).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_Closure%20Letter_05152025_(22-232741).pdf

42023034NOPV_Closure Letter_05152025_(22-232741)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_Closure%20Letter_05152025_(22-232741)_text.pdf

42023034NOPV_Final Order_09112024_(22-232741).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_Final%20Order_09112024_(22-232741).pdf

42023034NOPV_Final Order_09112024_(22-232741)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_Final%20Order_09112024_(22-232741)_text.pdf

42023034NOPV_Operator Response to Notice_06152023_(22-232741).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_06152023_(22-232741).pdf

42023034NOPV_PCO PCP_05082023_(22-232741).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_PCO%20PCP_05082023_(22-232741).pdf

42023034NOPV_PCO PCP_05082023_(22-232741)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42023034NOPV/42023034NOPV_PCO%20PCP_05082023_(22-232741)_text.pdf

42023034NOPV_Final Order_09112024_(22-232741)_text.pdf

September 11, 2024
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: tom.long@energytransfer.com
Thomas Long
Chief Executive Officer
Energy Transfer, LP
1300 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Re: CPF No. 4-2023-034-NOPV
Dear Mr. Long:
Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It withdraws one of
the allegations of violation, makes other findings of violation, assesses an adjusted civil penalty
of $118,300, and specifies actions that need to be taken by Mid Valley Pipeline Company LLC, a
subsidiary of Energy Transfer, LP, to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. The penalty
payment terms are set forth in the Final Order. When the civil penalty has been paid and the
terms of the compliance order completed, as determined by the Director, Southwest Region, 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
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Bryan Lethcoe, Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA
Mr. Gregory McIlwain, Executive Vice President of Operations, Energy Transfer, LP,
gregory.mcilwain@energytransfer.com



Mr. Eric Amundsen, Senior Vice President of Operations, Energy Transfer, LP,
eric.amundsen@energytransfer.com
Mr. Todd Stamm, Senior Vice President of Operations, Energy Transfer, LP,
todd.stamm@energytransfer.com
Ms. Jennifer Street, Senior Vice President of Operations, Energy Transfer, LP.,
jennifer.street@energytransfer.com
Mr. Matthew Stork, Vice President of Technical Services, Energy Transfer, LP,
matthew.stork@energytransfer.com
Mr. Todd Nardozzi, Director of Regulatory Compliance, Energy Transfer, LP,
todd.nardozzi@energytransfer.com
Ms. Susie Sjulin, Director of DOT Compliance, Energy Transfer, LP,
susie.sjulin@energytransfer.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 )
)
)
Mid Valley Pipeline Company LLC, )
a subsidiary of Energy Transfer, LP, )
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
) CPF No. 4-2023-034-NOPV
FINAL ORDER
From June 6 through December 1, 2022, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60117, a representative of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS), conducted an on-site pipeline safety inspection of the facilities and records of Mid Valley
Pipeline Company LLC’s (MVPL or Respondent) Mid-Valley Pipeline in Michigan, Ohio,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Mid Valley Pipeline
Company LLC is a subsidiary of Energy Transfer, LP. The Mid-Valley Pipeline is
approximately 1,040 miles long, originating in Longview, Texas, and terminating in Samaria,
Michigan.1
As a result of the inspection, the Director, Southwest Region, OPS (Director), issued to
Respondent, by letter dated May 8, 2023, a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil
Penalty, and Proposed Compliance Order (Notice). In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the
Notice proposed finding that MVPL had committed five violations of 49 C.F.R. Part 195,
proposed assessing a civil penalty of $119,000 for the alleged violations, and proposed ordering
Respondent to take certain measures to correct the alleged violations. The Notice also included
an additional two warning items pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 190.205, which warned the operator to
correct the probable violations or face possible future enforcement action.
After requesting and receiving an extension of time to respond, MVPL responded to the Notice
by letter dated June 15, 2023 (Response). Respondent contested several of the allegations,
offered additional information in response to the Notice, requested that the proposed civil penalty
(PCP) be reduced and or eliminated, and requested that the proposed compliance order (PCO)
terms be modified. Respondent did not request a hearing and therefore has waived its right to
one.
1 Energy Transfer, LP website, available at https://www.energytransfer.com/crude-oil/ (last accessed August 20,
2024).



FINDINGS OF VIOLATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as follows:
Item 1: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.52(a)(3), which states:
§ 195.52 Immediate notice of certain accidents.
(a) Notice requirements. At the earliest practicable moment following
discovery, of a release of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide transported
resulting in an event described in § 195.50, but no later than one hour after
confirmed discovery, the operator of the system must give notice, in
accordance with paragraph (b) of this section of any failure that:
(1)….
(3) Caused estimated property damage, including cost of cleanup and
recovery, value of lost product, and damage to the property of the operator
or others, or both, exceeding $50,000.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.52(a)(3) by failing to give notice, at
the earliest practicable moment but no later than one hour after confirmed discovery, following
discovery of a release of a hazardous liquid resulting in an event where estimated property
damage, including cost of cleanup and recovery, value of lost product, and damage to property of
the operator or others, or both, exceeded $50,000. Specifically, the Notice alleged that there
were three occasions in 2021 and 2022 when MVPL experienced reportable accidents but failed
to give notice within the required time frame to the National Response Center (NRC). Those
occasions were on February 22, 2021, June 10, 2021, and June 29, 2022.
In its Response, MVPL did not contest the allegation of violation with respect to the June 29,
2022, occasion. However, it contested the allegation of violation with respect to the February
22, 2021, and June 10, 2021 occasions.
With respect to the first contested occasion, the Notice alleged that an accident resulting in
estimated property damage of $81,512 occurred on February 22, 2021, but Respondent did not
notify the NRC until March 12, 2021. In its Response, MVPL stated that the February 22, 2021
accident involved a release of 15 barrels of crude oil, which was “totally contained on Company
property.” Respondent stated that of the $81,512 of estimated property damage, $63,170 was
related to environmental remediation. MVPL further stated that at the time of release, it did not
expect the total environmental costs related to a 15-barrel release would drive the total costs of
the event beyond the $50,000 threshold for immediate notification required by §195.52(a)(3).
Respondent asserted that when it determined this threshold would be exceeded on March 12,
2021, it promptly notified the NRC.
With respect to the second contested occasion, the Notice alleged that an accident resulting in
estimated property damage of $79,229 occurred on June 10, 2021, but Respondent did not notify
the NRC until June 11, 2021. In its Response, MVPL stated that the June 10, 2021 accident
involved a release of 16.70 barrels of cruel oil, which was “totally contained on Company
property.” Respondent stated that of the $79,229 of estimated property damage, $60,000 was



related to repair costs. MVPL further stated that these repair costs were elevated due to
difficulties experienced during excavation of the failure point overnight, and that, at the time of
discovery of the release, it did not immediately expect that the total repair costs would drive the
total costs for the event beyond the $50,000 threshold for immediate notification required by
§195.52(a)(3). Respondent asserted that when it determined this threshold would be exceeded
on the morning of June 11, 2021, it promptly notified the NRC.
Pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 195.52(a), an operator must provide notice of certain accidents2 “[a]t the
earliest practicable moment following discovery…but no later than one hour after confirmed
discovery.” “Confirmed discovery” means “when it can be reasonably determined, based on
information available to the operator at the time a reportable event has occurred, even if only
based on a preliminary evaluation.”3 Read together, § 195.52(a) requires operators to report
accidents at the earliest practicable moment, but no later than one hour after it can be reasonably
determined, based on the information available, that a reportable event has occurred, even if only
based on a preliminary evaluation.
This reporting requirement was adopted in 2017 at the direction of Congress. In the Pipeline
Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-90), Congress
directed PHMSA to “establish time limits for telephonic or electronic notification of an accident
or incident to require such notification at the earliest practicable moment following confirmed
discovery of an accident or incident and not later than 1 hour following the time of such
confirmed discovery.”
On January 23, 2017, PHMSA published the rule “Pipeline Safety: Operator Qualifications, Cost
Recovery, Accident and Incident Notification, and Other Pipeline Safety Changes.”4 In the rule,
PHMSA explained that the purpose of the revised notification requirement is to alert local, state,
and federal agencies at the earliest practicable moment so that emergency personnel or
investigators can be dispatched quickly. Without this requirement, and under alternatives
proposed by commenters, each operator could have a different methodology that would
potentially take hours or days before an operator completed its evaluation and determined that an
accident or incident had in fact occurred. PHMSA noted that if an operator were allowed to wait
for a definitive confirmation, even where the operator already has sufficient evidence, the intent
of the Congressional mandate would be defeated. Accordingly, PHMSA explained that it was
adopting this reporting requirement, including the one-hour time limit and the definition of
“confirmed discovery,” to abide by the Congressional mandate requiring operators to report
incidents and accidents despite not having a complete assessment.
In this case, the Notice alleged that MVPL violated § 195.52(a)(3) by not reporting the February
22, 2021, June 10, 2021, and June 29, 2022 accidents within the required timeframe when the
2 As it pertains to the facts of this case, a reportable “accident” means a pipeline failure in which there is a release of
hazardous liquid resulting in estimated property damage, including cost of clean-up and recovery, value of lost
product, and damage to the property of the operator or others, or both, exceeding $50,000. See 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.50(e).
3 49 C.F.R. § 195.2.
4 82 FR 7972.



estimated property damage was $81,512, $79,229, and $4,651,397, respectively. In its
Response, MVPL stated that given the small amount of product released on its own property, it
did not immediately expect that the environmental costs for the February 22, 2021 accident and
total repair costs for the June 10, 2021 accident would drive the total costs for the events beyond
the $50,000 threshold for immediate notification required by §195.52(a)(3). Respondent did not
contest the violation with respect to the June 29, 2022 accident.
I reviewed whether the Notice and the evidence in the record form a sufficient evidentiary basis
to support the allegation that Respondent should have determined, at an earlier date or time, that
a reportable event had occurred, based on the information available, even if only based on a
preliminary evaluation. I find that they did not. First, the Notice did not indicate when MVPL
should have determined, based on the information available, that a reportable event occurred and
when it should have notified the NRC. Second, the Notice did not indicate what evidence shows
MVPL should have determined that the estimated property damage would exceed $50,000 at an
earlier date or time.5 Rather, the Notice merely lists the later-determined estimated property
damage and indicates that Respondent should have known it earlier. In other words, the Notice
failed to articulate a sufficient evidentiary basis to support the allegation of violation for these
two instances.
The evidence cited also does not set out a sufficient evidentiary basis to support the allegation as
described in the Notice. The PHMSA Form 7000-1 completed for the February 22, 2021
accident, was submitted on March 22, 2021. The form lists February 22, 2021, 08:30 AM, as the
date and time an accident-reporting criteria was met. This is the same date and time that the
operator listed for identification of the failure. The time of confirmed discovery was blank, and
March 12, 2021, was identified as the date of the initial report to the NRC. In the narrative
section of the form, Respondent described that following the accident a clean-up crew was
brought in. Respondent explained that on March 12, 2021, it determined that the criteria for
immediate telephonic notification were met. This explanation is in-line with the argument
advanced by Respondent in its Response.
Similarly, the PHMSA Form 7000-1 completed for the June 10, 2021 accident, was submitted on
July 7, 2021. The form lists June 10, 2021, 12:30 PM, as the date and time an accident-reporting
criteria was met. This is the same date and time that the operator listed for identification of the
failure. The time of confirmed discovery was left blank, and June 11, 2021, was identified as the
date of the initial report to the NRC. In the narrative section of the form, Respondent described
that following the accident a clean-up crew was brought in. Respondent explained that on June
11, 2021, it determined that the criteria for immediate NRC notification were met. This
explanation is in-line with the argument advanced by Respondent in its Response.
Neither form provides an evidentiary basis to conclude that Respondent should have determined
at an earlier date and time that a reportable event had occurred, based on the information
available, even if only based on a preliminary evaluation. The evidence does show that a clean-
up crew was called, but it does not provide a sufficient evidentiary foundation to conclude that
5 See In Re Bell Fourche Pipeline Company, CPF 5-1992-2514 (April 28, 1998) (noting that the Notice failed to
provide an evidentiary basis that the respondent could have reasonably obtained information about the spill and its
consequences any earlier).



the operator should have known the estimated property damage, including cost of cleanup and
recovery, value of lost product, and damage to property of the operator or others, or both, would
exceed $50,000 at an earlier point in time.
With this in mind, I withdraw the two instances of violation for the February 22, 2021 and June
10, 2021 releases. This decision is specific to the facts of this case and the allegation of violation
as set out in the Notice. Unlike here, there have been situations where sufficient evidence is
presented to support a conclusion that an operator had enough information at the time of the
release for it to reasonably determine that the estimated property damage would exceed
$50,000.6 In those situations, the text of the regulation confirms the operator would be required
to report such an accident as soon as practicable but no later than one hour after it can be
reasonably determined that a reportable event has occurred.
Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.52(a)(3) by failing to give notice, at the earliest practicable moment but no later than one
hour after confirmed discovery of an accident that occurred on June 29, 2022. The remaining
two alleged instances of violation are withdrawn.
Item 3: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.420(a), which states:
§ 195.420 Valve maintenance.
(a) Each operator shall maintain each valve that is necessary of the safe
operation of its pipeline system in good working order at all times.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.420(a) by failing to maintain each
valve that is necessary for the safe operation of its pipeline systems in good working order at all
times. Specifically, the Notice alleged that PHMSA found two leaking valves and a remote
operated valve (ROV) that did not respond to open or closed signals from the control room.
In its Response, MVPL did not contest the allegation of violation. Instead, it provided additional
information regarding the valves and requested modification of the PCO terms for this item.
Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.420(a) by failing to maintain each valve that is necessary for the safe operation of its
pipeline systems in good working order at all times.
MVPL’s request for modification of the PCO terms is addressed below in the Compliance Order
section below.
Item 4: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b), which states:
6 See In Re Centurion Pipeline, LP, CPF 4-2011-5013 (April 30, 2012) (wherein it was determined that a release of
approximately 10,000 barrels of crude oil caused estimated clean-up costs of $64,130); In Re Texas Eastern
Transmission Corporation, CPF 4-2001-1003 (May 5, 2005) (noting that the evidence showed the respondent was
capable of estimating that the incident would likely need to be reported shortly after the incident – the respondent
was able to estimate the amount of gas released and the cost of gas at the time).



§ 195.432 Inspection of in-service breakout tanks.
(a) ….
(b) Each operator must inspect the physical integrity of in-service
atmospheric and low-pressure steel above-ground breakout tanks according
to API Std 653 (except section 6.4.3, Alternative Internal Inspection
Interval) (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). However, if structural
conditions prevent access to the tank bottom, its integrity may be assessed
according to a plan included in the operations and maintenance manual
under § 195.402(c)(3). The risk-based internal inspection procedures in
API Std 653, section 6.4.3 cannot be used to determine the internal
inspection interval.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b) by failing to inspect the
physical integrity of its in-service atmospheric breakout tanks pursuant to the regulation and its
manual of written procedures for conducting normal operations and maintenance activities.
Specifically, the Notice alleged that MVPL failed to conduct monthly in-service visual
inspections on several breakout tanks in the Hebron and Oxford areas as required by API Std 653
and Respondent’s procedure HLT.05.
In its Response, Respondent did not contest the allegation of violation. Rather, it requested a
reduction of the civil penalty associated with this item.
Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.432(b) by failing to inspect the physical integrity of its in-service atmospheric breakout
tanks pursuant to the regulation and its manual of written procedures for conducting normal
operations and maintenance activities.
MVPL’s request for a reduction of the civil penalty associated with this item is addressed below
in the Civil Penalty section below.
Item 5: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.505(i), which states:
§ 195.505 Qualification program.
Each operator shall have and follow a written qualification program.
The program shall include provisions to:
(a) ….
(i) After December 16, 2004, notify the Administrator or a state agency
participating under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 601 if the operator significantly
modifies the program after the administrator or state agency has verified
that it complies with this section. Notifications to PHMSA may be
submitted by electronic mail to InformationResourcesManager@dot.gov,
or by mail to ATTN: Information Resources Manager DOT/PHMSA/OPS,
East Building, 2nd Floor, E22-321, New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.505(i) by failing to notify the



Administrator after it made significant modifications to its Operator Qualification (OQ) Program,
pursuant to the regulation and its Standard Operating Procedure HLA.18 Operator Qualification
Plan, dated 12/15/2021. Specifically, the Notice alleged that MVPL failed to timely notify
PHMSA of three significant modifications to its OQ Program.
In its Response, MVPL did not contest the allegation of violation. Rather, it provided
documentation of remediation and requested that the PCO associated with this item be deemed
satisfied.
Accordingly, after considering all of the evidence, I find that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.505(i) by failing to notify the Administrator after it made significant modifications to its
OQ Program, pursuant to the regulation and its Standard Operating Procedure HLA.18 Operator
Qualification Plan, dated 12/15/2021.
MVPL’s request regarding the PCO terms associated with this item is addressed below in the
Compliance Order section below.
These findings of violation will be considered prior offenses in any subsequent enforcement
action taken against Respondent.
WITHDRAWAL OF ALLEGATION
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. Part 195, as follows:
Item 6: The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.581(a), which states:
§ 195.581 Which pipelines must I protect against atmospheric
corrosion and what coating material may I use?
(a) You must clean and coat each pipeline or portion of pipeline that
is exposed to the atmosphere, except pipelines under paragraph (c) of this
section.
The Notice alleged that Respondent violated 49 C.F.R. § 195.581(a) by failing to protect
aboveground pipe from atmospheric corrosion by cleaning and coating each pipeline or portion
of pipeline that is exposed to the atmosphere. Specifically, the Notice alleged that PHMSA
observed three locations where coating material had deteriorated and showed bare pipe at the
soil-to-air interfaces: at the Toledo Terminal Station, the Denver Station, and Block Valve (BV)
220.
In its Response, MVPL disagreed with the allegation of violation and the associated proposed
compliance order. MVPL stated the atmospheric corrosion control inspections for these
locations were conducted on October 15, 2021, September 7, 2021, and August 8, 2021,
respectively. MVPL respectively designated the corrosion condition at these locations as Case 1,
Case 4, and Case 2.7 MVPL’s procedure SOP HLD.44, “Atmospheric Corrosion Inspection,”
7 Respondent provided copies of the inspection reports with its Response. See Response Attachment C.



stated that conditions up to Case 4 do not require remedial action because integrity or safety of
the metallic asset will not be affected before the next inspection.
8 Remedial action is required
for Case 5 through Case 7. Per Respondent’s procedure SOP HLD.40, “Corrosion Control
Remedial Action,” onshore atmospheric corrosion protection must be restored within three
calendar years following discovery, not to exceed 39 months from the date the deficiencies are
discovered.9 Notwithstanding, MVPL, with its Response, provided documentation showing that
all three locations have been remediated.
In a recommendation for final action submitted pursuant to § 190.209(b)(7), the Director
recommended withdrawing the alleged violation of § 195.581(a).
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing, I hereby order that Item 6 be withdrawn. Respondent is
reminded that pursuant to § 195.581(a), an operator must clean and coat each pipeline or portion
of pipeline exposed to the atmosphere and while certain pipelines may be excepted from this
requirement under § 195.581(c), that exception is not applicable for portions of pipelines in
offshore splash zones or soil-to-air interfaces.
ASSESSMENT OF PENALTY
Under 49 U.S.C. § 60122, Respondent is subject to an administrative civil penalty not to exceed
$200,000 per violation for each day of the violation, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for any
related series of violations.10
In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.225, I
must consider the following criteria: the nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation,
including adverse impact on the environment; the degree of Respondent’s culpability; the history
of Respondent’s prior offenses; any effect that the penalty may have on its ability to continue
doing business; the good faith of Respondent in attempting to comply with the pipeline safety
regulations; and self-disclosure or actions to correct a violation prior to discovery by PHMSA.
In addition, I may consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without any reduction
because of subsequent damages, and such other matters as justice may require. The Notice
proposed a total civil penalty of $119,000 for the violations cited above.
Item 1: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $39,800 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.52(a)(3), for failing to give notice, at the earliest practicable moment but no later than one
hour after confirmed discovery, following discovery of a release of a hazardous liquid resulting
in an event where estimated property damage, including cost of cleanup and recovery, value of
lost product, and damage to property of the operator or others, or both, exceeded $50,000. The
$39,800 PCP was based upon three instances of violation. For the reasons set out above in the
8 PHMSA Violation Report, Exhibit F-4.
9 Operator Response, Attachment C.
10 These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation. See 49 C.F.R. § 190.223 for adjusted amounts.



Findings of Violation section, I withdrew two instances of violation. Accordingly, an adjustment
to the civil penalty is warranted. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the
assessment criteria, I assess MVPL a reduced civil penalty of $39,100 for one instance of
violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.52(a)(3).
Item 4: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $39,400 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.432(b), for failing to inspect the physical integrity of its in-service atmospheric breakout
tanks pursuant to the regulation and its manual of written procedures for conducting normal
operations and maintenance activities.
In its Response, MVPL requested that the civil penalty for Item 4 be recalculated and reduced on
the basis of “PHMSA erroneously utilizing a multiplier of ten (10) for the ‘History of Prior
Offenses’ component in the calculation embedded in the Proposed Civil Penalty Worksheet.” A
multiplier of ten indicates six or more prior offenses within five years prior to issuance of the
Notice. PHMSA listed a total of eight prior offenses, which included five findings of violation
against Energy Transfer, LP (OPID 32099) when calculating the number of prior violations
within the last five years. Respondent asserted that it was erroneous to include these findings of
violation because Respondent has a different OPID (12470) and is a separate operator from
Energy Transfer, LP. Respondent asserted that only prior findings of violation directly attributed
to Mid-Valley Pipeline should have been included.
Having considered Respondent’s argument, I note PHMSA’s Enforcement Procedures, section
4.1.3.1, state that multiple OPIDs may be used to determine the history of prior offenses “where
appropriate.”11 In this case, it is appropriate to include the OPID for both Energy Transfer
Company (OPID 32099) – a subsidiary of Energy Transfer, LP – and Mid Valley Pipeline
Company LLC (OPID 12470) – a subsidiary of Energy Transfer, LP – because both share a
Safety Program Relationship under Energy Transfer Company (OPID 32099). Furthermore,
Respondent uses Energy Transfer’s procedures.
12 In addition, Respondent responded to the
Notice using “Energy Transfer” letterhead and copied only Energy Transfer personnel. Taken
together, these facts indicate a close, if not indistinguishable, relationship between the parent
company and subsidiary as it concerns its program for compliance with the federal pipeline
safety regulations. Therefore, in this case, it is appropriate to include prior offenses from both
OPIDs in the history of prior offenses.
Respondent did not provide any additional argument to justify a reduction of the civil penalty for
this Item. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I
assess MVPL a civil penalty of $39,400 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.432(b).
11 PHMSA Enforcement Procedures, Section 4: Administrative Enforcement Processes, at 27 (December 9, 2022),
available at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/pipeline/enforcement/section-4-administrative-
enforcement-processes.
12 See, for example, PHMSA Violation Report, Exhibits A-5, B-5, B-6, C-4, D-3, F-4, G-3.



Item 5: The Notice proposed a civil penalty of $39,800 for Respondent’s violation of 49 C.F.R.
§ 195.505(i), for failing to notify the Administrator after it made significant modifications to its
OQ Program, pursuant to the regulation and its Standard Operating Procedure HLA.18 Operator
Qualification Plan, dated 12/15/2021.
In its Response, MVPL requested that the civil penalty for Item 5 be recalculated and reduced.
Respondent’s basis for this request was identical to the argument it advanced for Item 4, above.
For the reasons discussed above, I find that a reduction to the civil penalty for Item 5 is not
warranted. Accordingly, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria, I
assess MVPL a civil penalty of $39,800 for violation of 49 C.F.R. § 195.505(i).
In summary, having reviewed the record and considered the assessment criteria for each of the
Items cited above, I assess Respondent a total civil penalty of $118,300.
Payment of the civil penalty must be made within 20 days after receipt of this Final Order.
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 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.
COMPLIANCE ORDER
The Notice proposed a compliance order with respect to Items 3, 5, and 6 in the Notice for
violations of 49 C.F.R. §§ 195.420(a), 195.505(i), and 195.581(a), respectively. Under 49
U.S.C. § 60118(a), each person who engages in the transportation of hazardous liquids or who
owns or operates a pipeline facility is required to comply with the applicable safety standards
established under chapter 601. As discussed above, Item 6 has been withdrawn. Therefore, the
compliance terms proposed in the Notice for that Item are not included in this Order.
With regard to the violation of § 195.420(a) (Item 3), Respondent requested the compliance
terms be modified. The proposed compliance order terms for this item would require MVPL to
inspect all valves on the Mid-Valley Pipeline Stems and repair or replace any valves that are not
in good working order, including testing communications with the control room for ROVs. In its
Response, MVPL provided additional information regarding the Toledo Terminal and Lima
Station valves identified in the Notice. Respondent stated that the valves were not mainline
valves, were on a preventative maintenance schedule and inspected on July 29, 2021, and July



14, 2021, respectively, and that neither was leaking or weeping to a degree that would constitute
an immediate hazard at the time of the PHMSA inspection. MVPL also stated that BV 400 ROV
communications link was exercised during the August 16, 2022 inspection and found to be in
good working order. It also provided documentation showing that it remediated the conditions
associated with the valves PHSMA identified in the Notice.13 Respondent requested that the
terms of the PCO be modified to only require inspection of the three valves identified in the
Notice, and that the modified PCO terms be deemed satisfied based on the remedial actions
taken.
In a recommendation for final action submitted pursuant to § 190.209(b)(7), the Director
recommended modification of the compliance order terms to allow for submission of the most
recent inspection records for all valves that are necessary for the safe operation of the Mid-
Valley Pipeline System, so that if they have already been retested they do not have to be re-tested
to satisfy the compliance order.
In light of the preceding, I agree to modify the terms of the PCO for Item 3 so that the most
recent inspection records for all valves that are necessary for the safe operation of the Mid-
Valley Pipeline System can be provided to satisfy the Compliance Order. However, I do not
adopt Respondent’s suggested modification to further limit the compliance order to just the three
valves identified in the Notice (i.e., the Toledo Terminal Station (valve #15), Lima Pump Station
(Unit 4 discharge valve) and BV 400). Section 195.420(b) requires operators to inspect each
valve that is necessary for the safe operation of its pipeline systems at least twice each calendar
year, at intervals not to exceed 7.5 months. Thus, between the June 2022 inspection and now,
MVPL should have performed at least two inspections of each valve that is necessary for the safe
operation of its pipeline system and identified valves that are not in good working order.
Regardless of whether a valve is leaking or weeping to a degree that constitutes an immediate
hazard, they must be maintained in good working order at all times to comport with § 195.420.
Therefore, I do not find the compliance term to provide documentation that all valves are in good
working order, which is required by the regulation, to be an overly broad or unwarranted
remedial action for a violation of § 195.420(a), as argued by Respondent.
Consequently, I do not find the terms of the compliance satisfied, despite MVPL’s submission of
the documentation accompanying its response for the three valves identified in the Notice.
Rather, MVPL must submit the required records to the Director for review, as detailed below.
With regard to the violation of § 195.505(i) (Item 5), Respondent argued the PCO terms should
be deemed satisfied based on its submission of documentation of its April 28, 2023, notification
to the PHMSA Administrator of significant changes to its OQ Program. In a recommendation
for final action submitted pursuant to § 190.209(b)(7), the Director recommended finding the
terms of the PCO satisfied. I agree with this recommendation. Accordingly, the terms of the
PCO for this Item have been satisfied and the compliance terms proposed in the Notice for this
Item are not included in this Order.
For the above reasons, the Compliance Order is modified as set forth below.
13 Operator Response, Attachment A.



Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is
ordered to take the following actions to ensure compliance with the pipeline safety regulations
applicable to its operations:
1. With respect to the violation of § 195.420(a) (Item 3), Respondent must provide
the most recent inspection records for all valves that are necessary for the safe
operation of its Mid-Valley Pipeline System and provide work order documentation
to repair or replace any valves that are not in good working order, including testing
communications with the control room for ROVs, and provide the detailed associated
inspection records and work order to the Director, Southwest Region, within 180 days
of issuance of the Final Order.
The Director may grant an extension of time to comply with any of the required items upon a
written request timely submitted by the Respondent and demonstrating good cause for an
extension.
PHMSA requests that Respondent maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs
associated with fulfilling this Compliance Order and submit the total to the Director. It is
requested that these costs be reported in two categories: (1) total cost associated with
preparation/revision of plans, procedures, studies and analyses; and (2) total cost associated with
replacements, additions and other changes to pipeline infrastructure.
Failure to comply with this Order may result in the administrative assessment of civil penalties
not to exceed $200,000, as adjusted for inflation (see 49 C.F.R. § 190.223 for adjusted amounts),
for each violation for each day the violation continues or in referral to the Attorney General for
appropriate relief in a district court of the United States.
WARNING ITEMS
With respect to Items 2 and 7, the Notice alleged probable violations of Part 195, but identified
them as warning items pursuant to § 190.205. The warnings were for:
49 C.F.R. § 195.412(a) (Item 2) ─ Respondent’s alleged failure to inspect the
surface conditions on or adjacent to each pipeline right-of-way using an
appropriate method of inspection; and
49 C.F.R. § 195.583(a) (Item 7) ─ Respondent’s alleged failure to inspect each
pipeline or portion of its pipeline that is exposed to the atmosphere for evidence
of atmospheric corrosion at least once every three calendar years, but with
intervals not exceeding 39 months.
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