John W. Wehmeier — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1Feb 24 1972 Mr. John W. Wehmeier 381 Glenview Lane Grafton, Wisconsin 53024 Dear Mr. Wehmeier: This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 7, 1972. We are indeed sorry that you have become confused about our numbering system for notices just when you thought that you had the numbering system solved. In order to provide you with a better understanding of our numbering system, we will explain it as simply as possible. Notice numbers are issued for both Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and notices of Hearing. The first number refers to the year in which the notice was issued. The second number is the sequence in which that particular notice was issued for that year. In other words, Notice 71-2, would be the second notice issued in 1971. The numbering system for the amendments is also easy to understand. For OPS regulations, the first number refers to the Part of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations which is amended. The second number is the sequence of that particular amendment to the particular part which is amended. In other words, 192-2 would be the second amendment to Part 192 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For waivers, the waivers are labeled "W" followed by a number in sequence in which that waiver was issued. In other words, W-4 is the fourth waiver which was granted by the Office of Pipeline Safety. Notices of hearing on waiver petitions are issued as Notices and numbered accordingly. The questions you raised regarding Notice 71-15 are well taken. Notice 71-15 was originally meant to be released as the 15th notice in 1970, which would have made it Notice 70-15. It was released instead early in 1971 and inadvertently numbered as Notice 71-15. There were no Notices 71-7 through 71-14. The only Notices released in 1971 were 71-1 through 71-6. The Denial for Petition of Reconsideration by Cast Iron Pipe Research Association was not given a notice number since it was a petition for reconsideration of an amendment. We feel that there will not be sufficient petition of reconsideration of the regulations that will warrant establishment of a numbering system. dal\192.1-a\1\72-02-24 1#

Page 2Regarding your questions of the numbering of amendments, we have not issued three different amendments numbered 192-1. We have issued only one Amendment 192-1, which is the "Filing of Inspection and Maintenance Plans". We did, however, mistakenly issue two amendments as 192-2. This was corrected before the second of these was mailed out to the public. The legal responsibilities of the Office of Pipeline Safety is to publish notices and waivers in the Federal Register. However, in order to better serve the public, we are currently sending notices and waivers, and other similar information issued by the Office of Pipeline Safety to persons, companies and gas operators that indicate their desire to receive such information. Since your letter indicates that you would like to receive this information, we are adding your name to this list. We trust that this answers your particular questions. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to let us know. Sincerely, Joseph C. Caldwell Acting Director Office of Pipeline Safety dal\192.1-a\1\72-02-24 2#