# NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520093001W
- **title:** NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2009-03-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 193.2619(c).
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- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520093001W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving NORTHWEST PIPELINE LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 193.2619(c). The case was opened on 2009-03-16 and is reported as closed as of 2009-03-16. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520093001W_warning letter_03162009.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520093001W/520093001W_warning%20letter_03162009.pdf

520093001W_warning letter_03162009_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520093001W/520093001W_warning%20letter_03162009_text.pdf

520093001W_warning letter_03162009_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
March 16, 2009
Mr. Randy Barnard
Vice President, Operations
Northwest Pipeline Corporation
2800 Post Oak Blvd., Mail Stop 21
Houston, TX 77056
CPF 5-2009-3001W
Dear Mr. Barnard:
During the week of October 20-23, 2008, a representative of the Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission (WUTC), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 CFR United States Code,
conducted an inspection of Northwest Pipeline Corporation (WGP) liquefied natural gas plant
in Plymouth, Washington. The WUTC acts as an interstate agent of the Western Region,
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA).
As a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed a probable violation of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and
the probable violation is:
1. §193.2619 Control systems.
(c)(2) Control systems that are intended for fire protection must be inspected and
tested at regular intervals not to exceed 6 months.
The operator exceeded six (6) months when inspecting and testing their fire detectors. The
six-month time frame was exceeded by sixteen (16) days.



Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$100,000 for each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000
for any related series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting
documents involved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement
action or penalty assessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the item
identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in Northwest Pipeline (Williams Gas
Pipeline) Company being subject to additional enforcement action.
No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer
to CPF 5-2009-3001W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this
enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion
of your responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along
with the complete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with
the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why
you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C.
552(b).
Sincerely,
Chris Hoidal
Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 M. Petronis, T. Finch (#122981)
WUTC Anne Soiza
2
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