[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16471-16472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6860]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 191, 192, 193 and 195
[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0001]
Pipeline Safety: Implementation of the National Registry of
Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Operators
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises owners and operators of pipeline
facilities of PHMSA's plan for implementing the national registry of
pipeline and liquefied natural gas operators. This notice provides
updates to the information contained in a PHMSA Advisory Bulletin
published on January 13, 2012 (77 FR 2126).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamerson Pender, Information Resources
Manager, 202-366-0218 or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On November 26, 2010, PHMSA published a final rule in the Federal
Register (75 FR 72878) titled: ``Pipeline Safety: Updates to Pipeline
and Liquefied Natural Gas Reporting Requirements.'' That final rule
added two new sections, 49 CFR 191.22 and 195.64, to the pipeline
safety regulations that concerned the establishment of a national
registry of pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operators. New
operators use the national registry to obtain an Operator
Identification (OPID) Number and existing operators use it to notify
PHMSA of certain actions, including company name changes, certain
construction activities, and project planning.
The national pipeline operator registry became effective on January
1, 2012. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements,
PHMSA issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on December 13, 2010 (75
FR 77694), and a 30-day Federal Register notice on
[[Page 16472]]
November 10, 2011 (76 FR 70217). The purpose of these notices was to
gather and respond to comments on the actual forms used to collect
information for the national pipeline operator registry.
PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to clarify the
implementation of the national pipeline operator registry.
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2012-04)
To: Owners and Operators of Pipeline and LNG Facilities.
Subject: Implementation of the National Registry of Pipeline and
LNG Operators.
Advisory: This notice advises owners and operators of pipeline
facilities of PHMSA's plan for implementing the national registry of
pipeline and LNG operators. This notice provides updates to the
information contained in a PHMSA Advisory Bulletin on the same subject
published on January 13, 2012 (77 FR 2126).
OPID Assignment Requests--Sec. Sec. 191.22(a) and 195.64(a)
From January 1, 2012, to January 27, 2012, PHMSA collected fillable
pdf versions of OPID Assignment Request (Form F 1000.1). Starting
January 27, 2012, the Online Data Reporting System (ODES) is used by
entities requesting a new OPID. PHMSA is entering the pdf versions of
OPID Assignment Request forms into ODES and will notify requestors when
the OPID has been established.
While subject to the pipeline safety regulations, operators of
master meter systems or petroleum gas systems that serve fewer than 100
customers from a single source are not required to file annual reports
(see 49 CFR 191.11(b)). There were several thousand master meter system
operators and several hundred small liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
operators who fell within the scope of this exception as of December
31, 2011.
While also subject to the requirements of 49 CFR 191.22, PHMSA
previously determined that the operators of these systems would not be
required to obtain an OPID. Instead, PHMSA agreed to create OPIDs for
these operators based on the existing data in the agency's files. That
is currently underway and will be completed by May 1, 2012.
In light of this experience, PHMSA has decided that master meter
and small LPG operators established after December 31, 2011, will be
required to obtain an OPID in accordance with 49 CFR 191.22. On May 1,
2012, PHMSA will modify ODES to allow these master meter and small LPG
operators to request an OPID. The requirement to request an OPID
continues to not apply to master meter and small LPG operators in
existence prior to December 31, 2011.
Notifications--Sec. Sec. 191.22(c) and 195.64(c)
On January 1, 2012, PHMSA began collecting fillable pdf versions of
Notifications (Form F 1000.2). Starting March 27, 2012, operators will
be able to submit notifications online through ODES, and PHMSA will
enter all of the pdf versions of the notifications into ODES shortly
thereafter.
Hazardous liquid pipeline operators are advised to disregard the
notification requirement in Sec. 195.64(c)(1)(iii). That provision
requires notification for construction of any new pipeline facility
without regard to cost. Section 195.64(c)(1)(i) also requires
notification for construction of a new pipeline facility, but only for
those projects with a cost of $10 million or more. PHMSA only wants
notification of hazardous liquid pipeline facility construction
projects with a cost of $10 million or more and plans to remove Sec.
195.64(c)(1)(iii) in a future rulemaking.
OPID Validation--Sec. Sec. 191.22(b) and 195.64(b)
On March 27, 2012, operators will be able to complete the
validation process online. PHMSA requests that all OPIDs issued prior
to January 1, 2012, complete the validation process. As with OPID
Assignment Requests, master meter and small LPG operators in existence
prior to December 31, 2011, are not required to complete the validation
process. Based on the delayed availability of the on-line validation
process, PHMSA is extending the regulatory deadline for validation from
June 30, 2012, to September 30, 2012. PHMSA recommends that operators
submit calendar year 2011 annual reports at least five working days
prior to completing the validation process.
Further details on how to submit reports to PHMSA are available at
http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov. Questions should be directed to the Office
of Pipeline Safety operator helpline at 202-366-8075.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2012.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2012-6860 Filed 3-20-12; 8:45 am]
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