# GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST LLC — Warning Letter - **operation:** document - **citation:** CPF 520121004W - **title:** GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST LLC — Warning Letter - **source type:** enforcement - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** historical - **official:** true - **published on:** 2012-02-21 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 192.173. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520121004w.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520121004w.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520121004w - **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520121004W **body:** Warning Letter involving GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST LLC. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.173. The case was opened on 2012-02-21 and is reported as closed as of 2013-08-16. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status. Official case documents: 520121004W_Operator Response_08142012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520121004W/520121004W_Operator%20Response_08142012.pdf 520121004W_warning letter_02212012.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520121004W/520121004W_warning%20letter_02212012.pdf 520121004W_warning letter_02212012_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520121004W/520121004W_warning%20letter_02212012_text.pdf 520121004W_withdrawal of notice letter_08162013.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520121004W/520121004W_withdrawal%20of%20notice%20letter_08162013.pdf 520121004W_withdrawal of notice letter_08162013_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520121004W/520121004W_withdrawal%20of%20notice%20letter_08162013_text.pdf 520121004W_warning letter_02212012_text.pdf WARNING LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED February 21, 2012 Mr. Vern Meier VP, US Pipelines, Field Operations TransCanada Corporation 717 Texas Avenue Houston, TX 77002 CPF 5-2012-1004W Dear Mr. Meier: On October 17 to 21, 2011 a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code inspected your Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation facilities in Redmond, Oregon. 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 item inspected and the probable violation is: 1. §192.173 Compressor stations: Ventilation. Each compressor station building must be ventilated to ensure that employees are not endangered by the accumulation of gas in rooms, sumps, attics, pits, or other enclosed places. At the time of the inspection the dry gas seal vents did not extend above the roof lines at Compressor Stations #11 and #14. The vents need to be extended above the roof line to preclude possible gas accumulations in the compressor stations. 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(s) identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in TransCanada / Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation 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 5-2012-1004W. 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 J. Haddow (#132926) 2 520121004W_withdrawal of notice letter_08162013_text.pdf WITHDRAWAL of NOTICE LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED August 16, 2013 Mr. Vern Meier Vice President, US Pipelines, Field Operations TransCanada Corporation 717 Texas Avenue Houston, TX 77002 CPF 5-2012-1004W Dear Mr. Meier: On February 21, 2012 TransCanada Corporation was issued a Warning Letter for the case number referenced above. This Warning Letter cited TransCanada Corporation for not providing ventilation in accordance with 49 CFR, Part 192.173. At the time of the inspection the dry gas seal vents did not extend above the roof lines at Compressor Stations #11 and #14. PHMSA believed that the vents needed to be extended above the roof line to preclude possible gas accumulations in the compressor stations. However, in your letter dated August 14, 2012, TransCanada provided information regarding the exhaust system noting that gas detectors are present. These detectors shut down the compressors if a level of 25% LEL is exceeded and the fact that the vents from the building are powered by fans with intakes below lower than the vent exhaust, TransCanada contends this system complies with §192.173. This letter is to inform you that PHMSA hereby withdraws the Warning Letter and that the case is now closed. Sincerely, Chris Hoidal Director, Western Region Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry PHP-500 J. Haddow 2 - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 5192