Memo: External — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1January 29, 1971 Each Owner or Operator of a Gas Pipeline Facility. Chairman, Each State Agency having jurisdiction over Gas Pipeline Safety. SUBJECT: 49 C.F.R., Part 191, Leak Reporting Requirements Experiences under our leak reporting requirements since they became effective on February 9, 1970, suggest a need for clari- fying the responsibilities of each operator for telephonic reporting under OPS requirements, and his related responsibil- ities under State agency requirements. 49 C.F.R. 191.5 requires each operator to give direct telephone notice to the Office of Pipeline Safety (Area Code 202-962-6000), at the earliest practicable moment following discovery of certain types of leaks described therein, and identifies the information to be furnished. In most cases this telephonic report can and should be made within one to two hours after discovery. A number of State agencies have identical or similar telephonic leak reporting requirements. An operator's telephonic report to a State agency, with the State agency relaying the leak report to this Office, does not meet the requirements of the Federal regulation. An operator must telephonically report any leaks subject to 49 C.F.R. 191.5 directly to this Office, even though he also may be required to report the same leak to a State agency. Sincerely, Joseph C. Caldwell Director, Acting Office of Pipeline Safety dal\191\5\71-01-29#