{"operation":"document","citation":"CPF 520111009W","title":"GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST LLC — Warning Letter","source_type":"enforcement","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"historical","official":true,"published_on":"2011-11-01","effective_on":null,"summary":"CLOSED warning letter citing 192.705(b).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111009w.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111009w.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520111009w","source_url":"https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520111009W","body":"Warning Letter involving GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.705(b). The case was opened on 2011-11-01 and is reported as closed as of 2011-11-01. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.\n\nOfficial case documents:\n\n520111009W_warning letter_11012011.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111009W/520111009W_warning%20letter_11012011.pdf\n\n520111009W_warning letter_11012011_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520111009W/520111009W_warning%20letter_11012011_text.pdf\n\n520111009W_warning letter_11012011_text.pdf\n\nWARNING LETTER\nCERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED\nNovember 1, 2011\nMr. Vern Meier\nVice President, US Pipelines\nTransCanada Corporation\n717 Texas Street\nHouston, TX 77002-2761\nCPF 5-2011-1009W\nDear Mr. Meier:\nOn May 24 to 27, 2011, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety\nAdministration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected your Gas\nTransmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline procedures and records in Wallula, Washington. Field\ninspections of the GTN pipeline facilities between Milepost 360 and 612 were performed.\nAs a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed a probable violation of the\nPipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the\nprobable violation is:\n1. §192.705 Transmission lines: Patrolling.\n(b) The frequency of patrols is determined by the size of the line, the operating\npressures, the class location, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors, but\nintervals between patrols may not be longer than prescribed in the following table:\n\n\n\nClass\nlocation\nof line\nMaximum interval between patrols\nAt highway and\nrailroad crossings\nAt all other places\n1, 2 7 1/2 months; but at least twice each\ncalendar year\n15 months; but at least once each\ncalendar year\n3 4 1/2 months; but at least four times\neach calendar year\n7 1/2 months; but at least twice\neach calendar year\n4 4 1/2 months; but at least four times\neach calendar year\n4 1/2 months; but at least four\ntimes each calendar year\nAt the time of the inspection, GTN could not provide evidence that they completed the required\npatrols of their Coyote Lateral railroad crossings at the required frequency. A comprehensive\nreview of patrolling records provided by GTN indicates that no patrols of the railroad crossings\nwere conducted from 4/20/2009 to 10/19/2009, a period of six (6) months. The patrolling\nrequirements for railroad crossings in Class 3 areas require no more than four and one half\nmonths between patrols. Employees of GTN present during the inspection could not confirm that\nan interim patrol of the railroad crossings was done in the Class 3 areas.\nUnder 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100,000\nfor each violation for each day the violation persists up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any\nrelated series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents\ninvolved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty\nassessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the items identified in this letter.\nFailure to do so will result in TransCanada Corporation being subject to additional enforcement\naction.\nNo reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to\nCPF 5-2011-1009W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement\naction is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your\nresponsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the\ncomplete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with the portions\nyou believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe the\nredacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b).\nSincerely,\nChris Hoidal\nDirector, Western Region\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\ncc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry\nPHP-500 J. Haddow (#132925)","truncated":false,"body_characters":4208}