{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-72-0109","title":"House of Representatives — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1972-08-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-72-0109 response to House of Representatives concerning 192.703.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-0109.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-0109.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-0109","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1972/g72-08-04_Hathaway_192.703-msfx.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nPI-72-0109\nAugust 4. 1972\nHonorable William D. Hathaway\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nDear Mr. Hathaway:\nThis will acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 21, 1972, to the Office of Congressional Relations, enclosing\na copy of a letter from Mr. Edward J. Beauchamp, concerning repairs to gas pipelines.\nMr. Beauchamp’s letter inquires if there is some “criteria as expressed by the Federal Commission as to the\ntime that a leak must be repaired in a gas pipe line or distribution system. Is there a fine for not complying\nwith the time requirement?”\nSection 192.703 of the Federal gas pipeline safety standards provides in paragraph (b) that each segment of\npipeline that becomes unsafe must be replaced, repaired, or removed from service, and further provides in\nparagraph (c) that hazardous leaks must be repaired promptly. Which leaks are “hazardous,” which leaks\nmake a pipeline “unsafe,” and whether a repair has been done “promptly,” depends upon the nature of the\noperation and local conditions. The nature and size of the leak, its location, and the danger to the public are\namong the factors that must be considered by the operator. These same factors would be considered in\ndetermining whether a penalty should be imposed for failure to comply with the requirements of Section\n192.703.\nWe trust that this information will assist you in responding to Mr. Beauchamp’s inquiry in this matter. If we\ncan be of any further service, please let us know.\nSincerely,\nOriginal signed by:\nJoseph C. Caldwell\nDirector\nOffice of Pipeline Safety\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nJuly 21, 1972\nCongress of the United States\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nOffice of Congressional Relations\nDepartment of Transportation\nWashington, D.C.\nGentlemen:\nEnclosed is a copy of a letter I received from a constituent regarding repairs on gas pipelines.\nI shall appreciate having your comments on this matter.\nThank you.\nSincerely,\nWilliam Haththaway\nU.S. Congressman\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nEdward J. Beauchamp\n163 Lisbon Street\nLewiston, Maine 04240\nJuly 19, 1972\nHon. William D. Hathaway Re: Estate of Amanda Castonguay\nHouse of Representatives and Rita Castonguay\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nDear Al:\nWould you find out what is considered a reasonable time under the Federal Safety Standard\nRegulations for the transportation of gas by pipe line.\nWould there be some criteria as expressed by the Federal Commission as to the time that a leak must\nbe repaired in a gas pipe line or distribution system. Is there a fine for not comply with the time requirement.\nMy problem briefly is that under the Maine Public Utilities Commission there is a requirement to make\nsurveys to determine any leakage in the gas services. But there is no time specified as to when these leaks\nshould be repaired. Obviously the Lewiston Gas Light with a crew of 10 people could take 4 months to repair\nunder our Public Utilities Law as they now exist. Would there be something under the transportation act or\nwhatever body regulates the transmission of gas by pipeline whereby upon failure to remedy the situation\nwithin a certain number of days that it be prima-facie evidence of neglect on the part of the gas company and\nthat after the discovery of gas if not repaired within a specified time that they be subject to a Federal fine.\nIn discussing the matter with the Gas Transportation People in Washington; would you send me\nanything that might be helpful.\nYours truly,\nEDWARD J. BEAUCHAMP\nAttorney at Law","truncated":false,"body_characters":3493}