# Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PHMSA Guidance, Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs
- **title:** Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-09-05
- **effective on:** 2003-09-05
- **summary:** Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs Document 03-22665.pdf (131.81 KB) RSPA’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is issuing this advisory bulletin to owners and operators of hazardous liquid pipelines, gas transmission pipelines, gas distribution pipelines, and crude oil and gas gathering pipeline systems regulated under 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. The Pipeline Safety Im
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- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/pipeline-safety-pipeline-industry-implementation-effective
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Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs

Document

 03-22665.pdf (131.81 KB)

        RSPA’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is issuing this advisory bulletin to owners and operators of hazardous liquid pipelines, gas transmission pipelines, gas distribution pipelines, and crude oil and gas gathering pipeline systems regulated under 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) requires that each owner or operator of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility implement a continuing public education program. By December 17, 2003, each owner or operator must review its existing public education program for effectiveness and modify the program as necessary. RSPA/OPS is asking that each operator complete a self-assessment of its public education program against the guidelines established in the recently-issued consensus standard, American Petroleum Institute’s API RP 1162, “Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators,” before December 17, 2003, to demonstrate compliance with the PSIA.

          Issued Date: Friday, September 5, 2003

<<<PAGE 1>>>

52816 Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 172 / Friday, September 5, 2003 / Notices
has been prepared. Public notice will be
given of the time and place of the
scoping meetings, and the formal public
hearing. The draft EIS will be available
for public and agency review and
comment prior to the public hearing on
the draft EIS.
To ensure that the full range of issues
related to this proposed action are
addressed and all significant issues
identified, comments, and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties.
Comments or questions concerning this
proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to the FHWA or DelDOT at the
addressed provided above:
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning
and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372
regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Issued by: August 18, 2003.
Thomas D. Myers,
Division Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration, Dover, Delaware.
[FR Doc. 03–22657 Filed 9–4–03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–M
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs
Administration
Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry
Implementation of Effective Public
Awareness Programs
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory
bulletin.
SUMMARY: RSPA’s Office of Pipeline
Safety (OPS) is issuing this advisory
bulletin to owners and operators of
hazardous liquid pipelines, gas
transmission pipelines, gas distribution
pipelines, and crude oil and gas
gathering pipeline systems regulated
under 49 CFR parts 192 and 195. The
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of
2002 (PSIA) requires that each owner or
operator of a gas or hazardous liquid
pipeline facility implement a continuing
public education program. By December
17, 2003, each owner or operator must
review its existing public education
program for effectiveness and modify
the program as necessary. RSPA/OPS is
asking that each operator complete a
self-assessment of its public education
program against the guidelines
established in the recently-issued
consensus standard, American
Petroleum Institute’s API RP 1162,
‘‘Public Awareness Programs for
Pipeline Operators,’’ before December
17, 2003, to demonstrate compliance
with the PSIA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
Wiese, (202)366–2036; or by e-mail,
jeff.wiese@rspa.dot.gov. This document
can be viewed at the OPS home page at
http://ops.dot.gov. General information
about the RSPA/OPS programs may be
obtained by accessing RSPA’s home
page at http://RSPA.dot.gov.
I. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–03–04)
To: Owners and Operators of Hazardous
Liquid Pipelines, Gas Transmission
Pipelines, Gas Distribution Pipeline
Systems, and Crude Oil and Gas
Gathering Pipeline Systems.
Subject: Pipeline Industry
Implementation of Effective Public
Awareness Programs.
Purpose: To advise owners and
operators of hazardous liquid, gas
transmission, gas distribution, and
crude oil and gas gathering pipeline
systems of the statutory
requirement to review and maintain
effective public education programs
and to evaluate programs for
effectiveness.
Advisory: The (PSIA) requires that
each owner or operator of a gas or
hazardous liquid pipeline facility must
carry out a continuing public education
program. By December 17, 2003, each
owner or operator must review its
existing public education program for
effectiveness and modify the program as
necessary. RSPA/OPS is asking each
operator to complete a self-assessment
of its public education program against
the guidelines established in the
recently-issued, industry consensus
standard, API RP 1162, ‘‘Public
Awareness Programs for Pipeline
Operators.’’ To assist in this process,
RSPA/OPS is developing a self-
assessment system that operators can
access and complete over the Internet.
The self-assessment will help operators
identify gaps in their public education
programs and improvements needed to
align their programs with the
requirements of API RP 1162. In
September 2003, RSPA/OPS, the
National Association of Pipeline Safety
Representatives, and the pipeline
industry are cosponsoring two public
workshops to help operators understand
the requirements of the law and the use
of the self-assessment system. Operators
should submit their self-assessments to
RSPA/OPS no later than December 17,
2003.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
II. Background
The Federal pipeline safety
regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195
require operators of gas and hazardous
liquid pipelines to establish continuing
educational programs to enable
customers, the public, government
organizations, and persons engaged in
excavation-related activities to
recognize a pipeline emergency for the
purpose of reporting it to the operator or
the appropriate public officials. The
regulations also require that operators
implement written programs to prevent
pipeline damage from excavation
activities and establish public
awareness liaison with emergency
officials. Accordingly, pipeline
operators have previously conducted
public awareness programs with the
affected public, emergency responders,
and excavators along their routes.
The PSIA requires that each owner or
operator of a gas or hazardous liquid
pipeline facility must carry out a
continuing program to educate the
public on the use of a one-call
notification system prior to excavation
and other damage prevention activities,
the possible hazards associated with
unintended releases from the pipeline
facility, the physical indications that
such a release may have occurred, what
steps should be taken for public safety
in the event of a pipeline release, and
how to report such an event.
The PSIA requires that by December
17, 2003 (not later than 12 months after
the date of its enactment), each owner
or operator of a gas or hazardous liquid
pipeline facility must review its existing
public education program for
effectiveness and modify the program as
necessary. The completed program must
include activities to advise affected
municipalities, school districts,
businesses, and residents of pipeline
facility locations. The completed
program must be submitted to the
Secretary of Transportation or, in the
case of an intrastate pipeline facility
operator, the appropriate State agency,
and shall be periodically reviewed by
the Secretary or, in the case of an
intrastate pipeline facility operator, the
appropriate State agency.
The PSIA also provides that the
Secretary of Transportation may issue
standards prescribing the elements of an
effective public education program. The
Secretary may also develop material for
use in the program.
In recognition of the importance of
effective public awareness programs,
outstanding recommendations from the
National Transportation Safety Board
and anticipated legislative action in this
regard, an industry task force developed
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<<<PAGE 2>>>

Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 172 / Friday, September 5, 2003 / Notices
52817
a consensus standard establishing
guidelines for pipeline operators on
development, implementation, and
evaluation of public awareness
programs for operating pipeline
systems, API Recommended Practice
(RP) 1162, ‘‘Public Awareness Programs
for Pipeline Operators’’. The task force
included representatives from gas and
liquid petroleum transmission
companies, local distribution
companies, crude oil and gas gathering
systems, and industry trade
associations. Comments were also
solicited from local public officials, the
public and interested parties was
solicited. Representatives from RSPA/
OPS and the National Association of
Pipeline Safety Representatives
observed and provided input into the
development of the standard.
API RP 1162 is currently in the final
stages of the balloting process, following
the guidelines of both API and the
American National Standards Institute.
After appropriate revisions to address
comments, it is expected to be
published as a national consensus
standard in the fall of 2003.
RSPA/OPS considers that ‘‘public
education programs,’’ as used in the
PSIA, and ‘‘public awareness
programs,’’ as used in API RP 1162, are
the same. The level of public education
and awareness regarding operating
pipelines and pipeline safety can only
be increased through education and
communication programs that are
demonstrated to be effective. Therefore,
RSPA/OPS is considering incorporating
all or portions of API RP 1162 into the
pipeline safety regulations. Of particular
interest to RSPA/OPS is the operator’s
evaluation of its program
implementation and program
effectiveness.
RSPA/OPS has evaluated the PSIA
requirements that operators review and
modify their public education programs
and submit their completed programs to
Secretary of Transportation. We have
determined that the intent of the
requirements can be met and pipeline
safety be best served in the short-term
by having pipeline operators complete a
formal self-assessment of their public
education programs against the
guidelines provided in API RP 1162.
RSPA/OPS is developing an Internet-
based self-assessment that operators can
complete electronically. These self-
assessments will help operators identify
gaps in their public education programs
and improvements needed to align their
programs with the requirements of API
RP 1162. We ask all operators to submit
self-assessments of their public
education programs to RSPA/OPS no
later than December 17, 2003, to meet
the deadline established in the PSIA.
This will ensure that operators have
complied with the PSIA and will be
used in targeting technical assistance
workshops to ensure development of
effective public education programs.
In 2004, operators will be required to
submit their public education program
plans to the RSPA/OPS for review. Time
frames for submission will be
determined by RSPA/OPS and operators
will be notified. These plans will need
to identify how the operators will
address gaps and make improvements in
their public education programs. RSPA/
OPS will inspect these public education
programs as an ongoing part of the
pipeline operator inspection program.
RSPA/OPS is co-sponsoring with
NAPSR and the pipeline industry trade
associations (API, INGAA, AOPL, AGA,
APGA) two workshops to facilitate these
operator self-assessments. The first
workshop will be held on September 4–
5, 2003, in Houston, TX. The second
workshop will be held on September
16–17, 2003, in Baltimore, MD. On
August 14, 2003, RSPA/OPS issued a
notice providing specific locations and
times for the public education
workshops (68 FR 48659). Operators of
hazardous liquid and gas transmission
pipelines, gas local distribution systems
and crude oil and gas gathering systems
are urged to attend. Each workshop will
provide an industry-facilitated review of
API RP 1162 and a panel discussion of
successful public education practices.
RSPA/OPS will describe the self-
assessment process and will facilitate
sessions on techniques of effective
program evaluation.
RSPA/OPS will conduct breakout
sessions during these workshops for the
hazardous liquid and gas transmission
pipeline operators. The breakout
sessions will provide a more in-depth
overview of the self-assessment process
and attempt to gauge the current status
of public education programs for the
transmission pipeline operators by
completion of informal self-assessments
in advance of the formal self-assessment
requested by December 17, 2003.
Issued in Washington, DC on August 29,
2003.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 03–22665 Filed 9–4–03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket Nos. AB–55 (Sub–No. 639X)
and AB–565 (Sub–No. 15X)]
CSX Transportation, Inc.—
Discontinuance Exemption—In Henry
County, IN and New York Central
Lines, LLC—Discontinuance
Exemption—in Henry County, IN
On August 18, 2003, New York
Central Lines, LLC and CSX
Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) (together
petitioners), jointly filed with the
Surface Transportation Board (Board) a
petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for
exemption from the provisions of 49
U.S.C. 10903 to discontinue service over
a 1.64-mile line of railroad in CSXT’s
Western Region, Great Lakes Division,
Indianapolis Line Subdivision,
extending from milepost QIN 95.34 to
milepost QIN 96.98, in New Castle,
Henry County, IN. The line traverses
U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 47632, and
includes no stations.
The line does not contain Federally
granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in the petitioners’
possession will be made available
promptly to those requesting it.
The interest of railroad employees
will be protected by the conditions set
forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.—
Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91
(1979).
By issuing this notice, the Board is
instituting an exemption proceeding
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final
decision will be issued by December 5,
2003.
Any offer of financial assistance to
subsidize continued rail service under
49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no
later than 10 days after service of a
decision granting the petition for
exemption. Each offer must be
accompanied by a $1,100 filing fee. See
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
This proceeding is exempt from
environmental reporting requirements
under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from
historic reporting requirements under
section 1105.8(b).1
All filings in response to this notice
must refer to STB Docket Nos. AB–55
(Sub-No. 639X) and AB–565 (Sub-No.
15X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface
Transportation Board, 1925 K Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20423–0001; and
(2) Natalie S. Rosenberg, 500 Water
Street, J150, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
1 In addition, because these are discontinuance
proceedings and an abandonment is not proposed,
trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are
not appropriate.
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