{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-78-002","title":"Mr. James R. Troutman — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1978-01-09","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-78-002 concerning 195.210.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-002.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-002.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-002","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1978/PI78002.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nJanuary 9, 1978\nMr. James R. Troutman\nRoute 1, Box 698-C\nSalisbury, North Carolina 28144\nDear Mr. Troutman:\nYour letters of December 3, 1977, to the North Carolina Utilities\nCommission and of November 1977, to the Environmental Protection\nAgency have been forwarded to this Office for response.\nThe Materials Transportation Bureau, Office of Pipeline Safety\nOperations, regulates the safety of interstate petroleum\npipelines (such as the one proposed by the Colonial Pipeline\nCompany) under the Transportation of Explosives Act (18 USC 831-\n835). Regulations governing the design, construction, operation,\nand maintenance of petroleum pipelines are contained in 49 CFR\nPart 195 (copy enclosed). These regulations provide for public\nsafety through requirements governing the structural integrity of\npipelines.\nThe regulations do not require that environmental impact studies\nbe prepared for the construction of pipelines. In the Federal\ngovernment, such a study may have been prepared by the U.S. Army\nCorps of Engineers for the Colonial pipeline if that agency\ngranted a permit for it to cross a navigable waterway. You may\ncontact that agency at its Office of Public Affairs, Washington,\nD.C. 20314, for further information on whether a study has been\nprepared.\nRegarding your specific question about the safety of the pipeline\nif it is constructed 20 feet from your house, Section 195.210(a)\nof the regulations states that a pipeline right-of-way must be\nselected to avoid, as far as practicable, areas containing\nprivate dwellings, industrial buildings, and places of public\nassembly. However, where avoidance of populated areas is not\npracticable, Sections 195.210(b) and 195.248 prescribe an\nadditional 12 inches of cover for pipelines within 50 feet of any\nprivate dwelling. Assuming normal excavation, a minimum of 48\ninches of cover will be required if the line is constructed\nwithin 50 feet of your home.\nThis Office will be reviewing Colonial Pipeline Company's\nconstruction plans and specifications and making onsite field\ninspections during the construction of the pipeline to check for\ncompliance with the Federal standards.\ndal\\195\\210\\78-01-09\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nI hope that this information is satisfactory. Thank you for your\ninterest in pipeline safety.\nSincerely,\nCesar DeLeon\nActing Director\nOffice of Pipeline\nSafety Operations\nEnclosure\ndal\\195\\210\\78-01-09\n2\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nDecember 9, 1977\nMr. James C. Thomas, Chief\nSouthern Region\nDepartment of Transportation\nOffice of Pipeline Safety Operations\n1568 Willingham Drive, Suite 207B\nAtlanta, Georgia 30337\nDear Mr. Thomas:\nAttached is a letter we received concerning construction of\nthe new 40\" Colonial Pipeline in North Carolina. Since we do not\nregulate such lines under Part 195, I am forwarding this letter\nfor your response.\nYours very truly,\nI. H. Hinton, Director\nTransportation Division\nAttachment\ndal\\195\\210\\78-01-09\n3","truncated":false,"body_characters":2915}