Mr. C.J. Blanchat — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1PI-70-0107 October 27, 1970 Mr. C.J. Blanchat Danville, Kansas 67036 Dear Mr. Blanchat: Thank you for your letter of October 20, 1970, concerning the safety of a gas service line. We have referred it to the city of Danville, Kansas for investigation. We will keep you informed of the results. A copy of our letter to the City of Danville is enclosed for your information. Thank you for your interest in pipeline safety. Sincerely, Original signed by: Joseph C. Caldwell Director, Acting Office of Pipeline Safety#

Page 2The City of Danville Danville, Kansas November 20, 1970 Mr. Joseph C. Caldwell Director, Acting Office to Pipeline Safety Office of the Sec. of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 Gentlemen: We are writing in reply to your letter of Oct. 27 concerning the complaint of Mr. Blanchat. The city gas line was to Mr. Blanchat's property but to our knowledge there are some points of information that are not correct. The meter was installed as stated on Mr. Blanchat's property but no record as to why it was installed on his property as other meters are on the property line or the city has an easement from the property owner. We have no record of an easement. He stated that the line was installed by the city, but Mr. Blanchat exhibited his check to an individual, not to the city, for pipe and labor at the time of installation. It seems the line would be his property, and no record that the city would be responsible for its repair can be produced. As stated on Sept. 21 the city moved their meter to the property line, and Mr. Blanchat has gas service. There is no proof that there is a gas leak and if there is it is on Mr. Blanchat's property. The city has no easement or do they want an easement considering the circumstance they would have to deal with. As to other leaks in the city limits, they were checked within the last year with a leak detector and the leak found was repaired. As to Mr. Blanchat's leak if the city finds that there is a leak the council feels that Mr. Blanchat should repair it and if he does not do so then he would be disconnected from gas service until it is repaired. Sincerely, Robert Smith Mayor, City of Danville, Kansas 67036#

Page 3October 27, 1970 Mr. Bob Smith Mayor City of Danville Danville, Kansas 67036 Dear Mr. Smith: We have received the enclosed complaint from Mr. Blanchat a resident of your community, of a safety hazard within the terms of the Natural Gas Pipelines Safety Act. Since the State of Kansas has no jurisdiction over municipally owned gas operators, you are responsible directly to this office for the safe operation of this system. We request that you investigate Mr. Blanchat’s complaint and inform this office of the result of such investigation within ten days of receipt of this letter. Sincerely, Original signed by: Joseph C. Caldwell Director, Acting Office of Pipeline Safety#

Page 4January 28, 1971 Mr. C.J. Blanchat Danville, Kansas 67036 Dear Mr. Blanchat: Concerning the safety of a gas service line on your property, Mayor Robert Smith informs me that the meter in question was moved to the property line because the City does not have an easement beyond that point. He also stated that there was no proof of a gas leak at the time of his letter in late November. The minimum Federal Safety Standards for gas pipelines require that an unsafe pipeline must be replace, repaired, or removed from service. In the case of a service line on a customer’s property, these standards do not specifically assign responsibility for these actions. Consequently, resolution of this question, and other related matters such as location of meters and easements, must be based on the legal relationship between the distribution company and the customer and are determined primarily by State and local law. We encourage your cooperation with the city officials of Danville to work out this matter promptly to assure that your service line is operated and maintained in accordance with the Federal Safety Standards. Sincerely, Original signed by: Joseph C. Caldwell Acting Director Office of Pipeline Safety#