# INTERIOR GAS UTILITY — Notice of Probable Violation - **operation:** document - **citation:** CPF 42024046NOPV - **title:** INTERIOR GAS UTILITY — Notice of Probable Violation - **source type:** enforcement - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** historical - **official:** true - **published on:** 2024-08-29 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** CLOSED notice of probable violation citing 193.2635(d), 193.2637, 193.2801. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42024046nopv.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42024046nopv.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-42024046nopv - **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/42024046NOPV **body:** Notice of Probable Violation involving INTERIOR GAS UTILITY. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 193.2635(d), 193.2637, 193.2801. The case was opened on 2024-08-29 and is reported as closed as of 2025-12-12. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status. Official case documents: 42024046NOPV_Closure Letter_12122025_(23-267231).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_Closure%20Letter_12122025_(23-267231).pdf 42024046NOPV_Closure Letter_12122025_(23-267231)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_Closure%20Letter_12122025_(23-267231)_text.pdf 42024046NOPV_Final Order_10102024_(23-267231).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_Final%20Order_10102024_(23-267231).pdf 42024046NOPV_Final Order_10102024_(23-267231)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_Final%20Order_10102024_(23-267231)_text.pdf 42024046NOPV_Operator Response to Notice and Request Time Extension_09052024_(23-267231).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice%20and%20Request%20Time%20Extension_09052024_(23-267231).pdf 42024046NOPV_PCO_08292024_(23-267231).pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_PCO_08292024_(23-267231).pdf 42024046NOPV_PCO_08292024_(23-267231)_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/42024046NOPV/42024046NOPV_PCO_08292024_(23-267231)_text.pdf 42024046NOPV_Final Order_10102024_(23-267231)_text.pdf October 10, 2024 VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: sdeal@interiorgas.com George Deal Director of Operations Interior Gas Utility 2525 Phillips Field Road Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3942 Re: CPF No. 4-2024-046-NOPV Dear Mr. Deal: Enclosed please find the Final Order issued in the above-referenced case. It makes a finding of violation and specifies actions that need to be taken to comply with the pipeline safety regulations. When the terms of the compliance order are 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 Enclosures (Final Order and NOPV) cc: Mr. Bryan Lethcoe, Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Mr. Jim Rasmussen, Operations Engineer, Interior Gas Utility, jrasmussen@interiorgas.com Ms. Elena Sudduth, General Manager, Interior Gas Utility, esudduth@interiorgas.com Mr. Jeremiah Flint, Operations Manager, Interior Gas Utility, jflint@interiorgas.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 ) ) Interior Alaska Natural Gas Utility, ) CPF No. 4-2024-046-NOPV d/b/a Interior Gas Utility, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) FINAL ORDER On August 29, 2024, pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 190.207, the Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), issued a Notice of Probable Violation (Notice) to Interior Gas Utility (Respondent). The Notice proposed finding that Respondent had violated the pipeline safety regulations in 49 C.F.R. Part 193. The Notice also proposed certain measures to correct the violations. Respondent did not contest the allegations of violation or corrective measures but requested additional time to complete the corrective measures. Based upon a review of all of the evidence, pursuant to § 190.213, I find Respondent violated the pipeline safety regulation listed below, as more fully described in the enclosed Notice, which is incorporated by reference: 49 C.F.R. § 193.2801 (Item 1) ─ Respondent failed to provide and maintain fire protection at its LNG plant according to sections 9.1 through 9.7 and section 9.9 of NFPA-59A-2001. Specifically, IGU failed to determine, by an evaluation based on sound fire protection engineering principles, analysis of local conditions, hazards within the facility, and exposure to or from other property, the fire protection required for Fairbanks Natural Gas (FNG) Donald Road Storage Facility #1 LNG facility (Storage Site #1) in accordance with section 9.1.2 of NFPA-59A-2001. This finding of violation will be considered a prior offense in any subsequent enforcement action taken against Respondent. Compliance Actions Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60118(b) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.217, Respondent is ordered to take the actions proposed in the enclosed Notice to correct the violations. Respondent requested an extension for part A.3 of the Notice to complete the corrective measures. Finding good cause, the extension is approved. The corrective measures in part A.3 of the Notice must be completed by July 31, 2025. The corrective measures in parts A.1 and A.2 must be completed within the timeframe stated in the Notice. The Director may grant an additional 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. Upon completion of the ordered actions, Respondent may request that the Director close the case. Failure to comply with this Order may result in the assessment of civil penalties under 49 C.F.R. § 190.223 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 3, the Notice alleged probable violations of 49 C.F.R. §§ 193.2635(d) and 193.2637, respectively, but did not propose a civil penalty or compliance order for these items. Therefore, these are considered to be warning items. If OPS finds a violation of these items in a subsequent inspection, Respondent may be subject to future enforcement action. The terms and conditions of this order are effective upon service in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 190.5. October 10, 2024 ___________________________________ _________________________ Alan K. Mayberry Date Issued Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety 42024046NOPV_Closure Letter_12122025_(23-267231)_text.pdf U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 8701 S. Gessner, Suite 630 Houston TX 77074 VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: esudduth@interiorgas.com December 12, 2025 Elena Sudduth General Manger Interior Gas Utility 2525 Phillips Field Road Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3942 CPF 4-2024-046-NOPV Dear Ms. Sudduth: On October 10, 2024, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Final Order, including a Compliance Order, to Interior Gas Utility in the above-referenced case. Based on our review of the documentation you submitted, PHMSA has determined that you have satisfied all requirements of the Order. This letter serves as formal notification that no further action is required and the case is now closed. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Bryan Lethcoe Director, Southwest Region, Office of Pipeline Safety Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration cc: Mr. George Deal, Director of Operations, Interior Gas Utility, sdeal@interiorgas.com Mr. Jeremiah Flint, Operations Manager, Interior Gas Utility, jflint@interiorgas.com - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 7563