Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee
| Published date | 20 February 2024 |
| Record Number | 2024-03361 |
| Citation | 89 FR 12798 |
| Court | Pipeline And Hazardous Materials Safety Administration |
| Section | Proposed rules |
Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12798-12800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03361]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 191, 192, and 193
[Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0005]
Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA);
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of advisory committee meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Technical
Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline
[[Page 12799]]
Advisory Committee (GPAC), to complete discussion of the notices of
proposed rulemakings (NPRMs) titled ``Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and
Repair'' and ``Class Location Change Requirements.''
DATES: PHMSA will hold a public meeting from March 25, 2024, to March
29, 2024. The GPAC will meet each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
(start and end times are subject to change) to discuss the NPRMs.
However, the meeting may end early if the GPAC completes its review of
the proposed rules. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked
to register no later than March 18, 2024. PHMSA requests that
individuals who require accommodations because of a disability notify
Tewabe Asebe by email at [email protected] at least five days prior
to the meeting. Comments on the proceedings of the GPAC meeting must be
submitted by April 29, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in person at the Westin Crystal
City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. However, PHMSA will
provide a Microsoft Teams link on the meeting web page at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=169 for the public to
listen to the meeting (please note: attendees who participate via
Microsoft Teams will not have the opportunity to provide comments
during the meeting). The agenda and any additional information,
including information on how to participate in the meeting, will be
published on the meeting web page. Presentations will be available on
the meeting website and at https://www.regulations.gov/ in docket
number PHMSA-2024-0005 no later than 30 days following the meeting. You
may submit comments, identified by Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0005, by any
of the following methods:
Web: https://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the
public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any
agency. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except
federal holidays.
Instructions: Identify Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0005 at the
beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, submit
two copies. Internet users may submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. If you would like confirmation that PHMSA received
your comments, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard labeled
``Comments on PHMSA-2024-0005.'' The docket clerk will date stamp the
postcard prior to returning it to you via U.S. mail.
Note: All comments received will be posted without edits
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading for more information.
Anyone can use the site to search all comments by the name of the
submitting individual or, if the comment was submitted on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc., the name of the signing
individual. Therefore, please review the complete DOT Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register at 65 FR 19477 or the Privacy Notice
at https://www.regulations.gov before submitting comments.
Privacy Act Statement: DOT may solicit comments from the
public regarding certain general notices. DOT posts these comments
without edit, including any personal information the commenter
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments in response to this notice contain
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate
the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask
PHMSA to provide confidential treatment to information you give to the
Agency by taking the following steps: (1) mark each page of the
original document submission containing CBI as ``Confidential;'' (2)
send PHMSA a copy of the original document with the CBI deleted along
with the original, unaltered document; and (3) explain why the
information you are submitting is CBI. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Tewabe Asebe, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Submission containing
CBI can also be emailed to Tewabe Asebe by encrypted email at
[email protected]. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket.
Docket: For access to the docket or to read background
documents or comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for accessing the dockets. Alternatively, this
information is available by visiting DOT at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tewabe Asebe, Office of Pipeline
Safety, by phone at 202-366-5523 or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Meeting Agenda
The GPAC will meet from March 25, 2024, to March 29, 2024, to
discuss ``Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair'' NPRM that PHMSA
published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2023, (88 FR 31890),\1\
and if time permits the ``Class Location Change Requirements'' NPRM
that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2020, (85
FR 65142). The GPAC will review the NPRMs and their associated
regulatory analyses, including, but not limited to, the cost-benefit
and risk assessment analyses; regulatory impact analyses; environmental
assessments, and other materials pertaining to the NPRMs provided in
the respective public dockets. While the meeting is scheduled for five
days, the GPAC may complete its review of the proposed rules in less
time. PHMSA will post additional details on the meeting website in
advance of the meeting as they become available.
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\1\ The public docket for the Leak Detection and Repair NPRM can
be found at https://regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA-2021-0039.
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From November 27, 2023, to December 1, 2023, the GPAC met and
discussed part of the Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair NPRM and
provided to PHMSA recommendations on a number of the proposed
requirements. The transcript of the meeting is posted on the meeting
website at: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=167
and at https://www.regulations.gov/. The Leak Detection and Repair NPRM
proposes to make regulatory amendments that implement congressional
mandates in the ``Protecting Our Infrastructure of
[[Page 12800]]
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020'' to enhance safety and
reduce methane emissions from new and existing gas transmission
pipelines, distribution pipelines, regulated (Types A, B, C, and
offshore) gas gathering pipelines, underground natural gas storage
facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities. Among the proposed
amendments for part 192-regulated gas pipelines are strengthened
leakage survey and patrolling requirements; performance standards for
advanced leak detection programs; leak grading and repair criteria with
mandatory repair timelines; requirements for mitigation of emissions
from blowdowns; pressure relief device design, configuration, and
maintenance requirements; and clarified requirements for investigating
failures. Finally, this NPRM proposes to expand reporting requirements
for operators of all gas pipeline facilities within DOT's jurisdiction,
including underground natural gas storage facilities and liquefied
natural gas facilities. PHMSA requested public comments with a
submission deadline of August 16, 2023.\2\ PHMSA received over 43,000
comments on the NPRM.
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\2\ 88 FR 42284.
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In the ``Class Location Change Requirements'' NPRM, PHMSA proposes
to revise the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to amend the
requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a
change in class location. Under the existing regulations, pipeline
segments located in areas where the population density has
significantly increased must perform one of the following actions:
reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment; pressure test the pipeline
segment to higher standards; or replace the pipeline segment. This
proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators
could use--based on implementation of integrity management principles
and pipe eligibility criteria--to manage certain pipeline segments
where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class
3 location. Through required periodic assessments, repair criteria, and
other additional preventive and mitigative measures, PHMSA expects this
alternative approach will provide long-term safety benefits consistent
with the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing
cost savings for pipeline operators. PHMSA requested public comments
with a submission deadline of December 14, 2020.\3\ PHMSA received 14
comments on the NPRM.
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\3\ 85 FR 65142
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Following the GPAC meeting, PHMSA will evaluate the GPAC's
recommendations and publish final rules that address the comments
received and relevant information from the GPAC meeting report.
II. Background
The GPAC is a statutorily mandated advisory committee that provides
the Secretary of Transportation and PHMSA with recommendations on
proposed standards for the transportation of gas by pipeline. The
committee was established in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 60115 and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463) to
review PHMSA's regulatory initiatives and determine their technical
feasibility, reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability.
The committee consists of 15 members, with membership evenly divided
among Federal and State governments, regulated industry, and the
general public.
III. Public Participation
The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public who
wish to attend must register on the meeting website and include their
names and affiliations. PHMSA will provide members of the public
reasonable opportunity to make a statement during this meeting.
However, commenters may be limited to 3 minutes each to accommodate the
business of the committee, and trade organizations are asked to have no
more than one speaker per organization. PHMSA will provide a Microsoft
Teams link on the meeting web page at https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=169 for the public to listen to the meeting
(please note: attendees who listen to the meeting via Microsoft Teams
will not have the opportunity to make a statement during the meeting).
Additionally, PHMSA will record the meeting and post the recording to
the public docket. PHMSA is committed to providing all participants
with equal access to this meeting. Comments on the proceedings of the
GPAC meeting must be submitted by April 29, 2024. If you need an
accommodation due to a disability, please contact Tewabe Asebe by phone
at 202-366-5523 or by email at [email protected].
PHMSA is not always able to publish a notice in the Federal
Register quickly enough to provide timely notice regarding last-minute
issues that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting
including start and end times. Therefore, individuals should check the
meeting website or contact Tewabe Asebe regarding any possible changes.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2024, under authority
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2024-03361 Filed 2-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
