CPF 52024013NOA
CPF 52024013NOA
party submissionOfficial PDF52024013NOA_Operator Response to Notice_08092024_(23-264914).pdf#
52024013NOA_Closure Letter_08212024_(23-264914)_text.pdf, page 1Official PDFVIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: gjans@midwaysunset.com August 21, 2024 Mr. Greg Jans Plant Manager Midway Sunset Cogeneration 3466 W. Crocker Springs Road Fellows, California 93224 CPF 5-2024-013-NOA Closure Letter Dear Mr. Jans: From March 6, 2023, through March 9, 2023, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.), inspected Midway Sunset Cogeneration's (Midway) natural gas transmission line from the Kern River tie-in to the Midway Plant in Fellows, California. As a result of the inspection, Midway was issued a Notice of Amendment on July 11, 2024, which proposed amendment of your procedures. Midway submitted its amended procedures on August 9, 2024. My staff reviewed the amended procedures, and it appears that the inadequacy outlined in this Notice of Amendment has been corrected. This letter is to inform you no further action is necessary, and this case is now closed. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Dustin Hubbard Director, Western Region Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration#
52024013NOA_Closure Letter_08212024_(23-264914)_text.pdf, page 2cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry PHP-500 J. Williams, J. Luo (#23-264914) Lowell Pollema, Executive Director - lpollema@midwaysunset.com Michael Williams, DOT Primary Compliance - mwilliams@midwaysunset.com#
52024013NOA_Notice of Amendment_07112024_(23-264914)_text.pdf, page 1Official PDFNOTICE OF AMENDMENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: GREG JANS AND MICHAEL WILLIAMS July 11, 2024 Mr. Greg Jans Executive Operator Midway Sunset Cogeneration 3466 W. Crocker Springs Road Fellows, California 93224 CPF 5-2024-013-NOA Dear Mr. Jans: From March 6, 2023, through March 9, 2023, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code (U.S.C.), inspected Midway Sunset Cogeneration's (Midway) natural gas transmission line from the Kern River tie-in to the Midway Plant in Fellows, California. As a result of the inspection, PHMSA has identified the apparent inadequacies found within Midway’s plans or procedures. The item inspected and the inadequacy is described below: 1. § 192.465 External corrosion control: Monitoring and remediation. (a) . . . . (d) Each operator must promptly correct any deficiencies indicated by the inspection and testing required by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section. For onshore gas transmission pipelines, each operator must develop a remedial action plan and apply for any necessary permits within 6 months of completing the inspection or testing that identified the deficiency. Remedial action must be completed promptly, but no later than the earliest of the following: prior to the next inspection or test interval required by this section; within 1 year, not to exceed 15#
52024013NOA_Notice of Amendment_07112024_(23-264914)_text.pdf, page 2months, of the inspection or test that identified the deficiency; or as soon as practicable, not to exceed 6 months, after obtaining any necessary permits. Midway’s procedures for corrosion control monitoring were inadequate to ensure the safe operation of a pipeline as required by § 192.465(d). Specifically, a review of Midway’s written Corrosion Control Inspection Procedure, located within the Operations and Maintenance Manual, showed that Midway lacked a stipulated timeline or timeframe for completing remediation after identification. Midway’s procedure for monitoring and remediating deficiencies does not state an explicit time period by which a corrective action plan will be developed and implemented in accordance with § 192.465(d). See, Section 105 of Midway’s Corrosion Control Inspection Procedure, Exhibit C. Midway’s procedure must designate a timeline for remedial action in accordance with the regulation. Accordingly, Midway must amend its procedures to fully conform to the requirements of § 192.465(d). Response to this Notice This Notice is provided pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 60108(a) and 49 C.F.R. § 190.206. Enclosed as part of this Notice is a document entitled Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Enforcement Proceedings. Please refer to this document and note the response options. 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). Following the receipt of this Notice, you have 30 days to submit written comments, revised procedures, or a request for a hearing under § 190.211. If you do not respond within 30 days of receipt of this Notice, this constitutes a waiver of your right to contest the allegations in this Notice and authorizes the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety to find facts as alleged in this Notice without further notice to you and to issue an Order Directing Amendment. If your plans or procedures are found inadequate, as alleged in this Notice, you may be ordered to amend your plans or procedures to correct the inadequacies (49 C.F.R. § 190.206). If you are not contesting this Notice, we propose that you submit your amended procedures to my office within 30 days of receipt of this Notice. This period may be extended by written request for good cause. Once the inadequacies identified herein have been addressed in your amended procedures, this enforcement action will be closed. It is requested (not mandated) that Midway maintain documentation of the safety improvement costs associated with fulfilling this Notice of Amendment (preparation/revision of plans, procedures) and submit the total to Dustin Hubbard, Director, Western Region, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. In correspondence concerning this matter, please#
52024013NOA_Notice of Amendment_07112024_(23-264914)_text.pdf, page 3refer to CPF 5-2024-013-NOA, and for each document you submit, please provide a copy in electronic format whenever possible. Sincerely, Dustin Hubbard Director, Western Region Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Enclosure: Response Options for Pipeline Operators in Enforcement Proceedings cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry PHP-500 J. Williams, J. Luo (#23-264914) Michael Williams, DOT Primary Compliance - MWilliams@midwaysunset.com#
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.