{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-01-0106","title":"United States Senator — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2001-04-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-01-0106 response to United States Senator concerning 192.705.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-01-0106.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-01-0106.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-01-0106","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/2001/g01-04-11_SPECTER_192.705-msfX.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nPI-01-0106\nThe Honorable Arlen Specter\nUnited States Senator\n600 Arch Street, Suite 9400\nPhiladelphia, PA 19106\nDear Senator Specter:\nThank you for your letter to David Marks, Deputy Assistant Secretary for\nCongressional Affairs, concerning negotiations between the East Goshen Conservancy\nBoard and the Duke Energy Corporation over Duke Energy's plan to cut trees on its\npipeline easement in East Goshen Township. Your letter has been referred to the\nResearch and Special Programs Administration(RSPA) for response. RSPA is\nresponsible for administering the Federal pipeline safety program.\nAs stated in the incoming correspondence, Duke Energy plans to cut down trees\nto facilitate routine inspection of its easement by aerial patrol. It also wants to remove\ntrees to make it easier for large equipment to gain access to the easement for normal\nmaintenance and emergency response.\nPipeline operated by Duke Energy are subject to the safety regulations of the\nDepartment of Transportation. These regulations require pipeline operators to patrol to\npatrol their easements for signs of leaks and construction activity. Although it is not a\nfederal requirement to keep the right-of-way is clear. However, federal regulations do\nnot give operators a right to cut down trees on their pipeline easements. An operator's\nauthority to cut down trees is subject to private agreements with landowners and to any\nlocal land use controls.\nIf we can be of further assistance, please contact me or Patricia Klinger, Director\nof External Communications, at (202) 366-4831.\nSincerely yours,\nElaine E. Joost\nActing Deputy Administrator","truncated":false,"body_characters":1632}