Inflation Adjustment of Maximum Civil Penalties

Effective Date: April 27, 2017.

§190.223 The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) revised references to the maximum civil penalties for violations of Federal pipeline safety laws, or any PHMSA regulations or orders issued thereunder.

Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program

Effective Date: April 10, 2017.

§192.915 Advisory Bulletin (ADB) Due recognized inconsistencies in how the requirements have been implemented by operators regarding this Section, PHMSA issued an Advisory Bulletin titled "Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program".

Operator Qualification, Cost Recovery, Accident and Incident Notification, and Other Pipeline Safety Changes

Effective Date: March 24, 2017.

Parts 190, 191, 192, 195 and 199 were updated to address requirements of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (2011 Act), and to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements:

Note: The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 was designed to examine and improve the state of pipeline safety regulations. The Act:

•Reauthorizes PHMSA's federal pipeline safety programs through fiscal year 2015 Provides the regulatory certainty necessary for pipeline owners and operators to plan infrastructure investments and create jobs

•Improves pipeline transportation by strengthening enforcement of current laws and improving existing laws where necessary

•Ensures a balanced regulatory approach to improving safety that applies cost-benefit principles and

•Protects and preserves Congressional authority by ensuring certain key rulemakings are not finalized until Congress has an opportunity to act.

Notice of Calendar Year 2017 Minimum Annual Percentage Rate for Random Drug Testing

PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 25 percent during calendar year 2017. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors performing or ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2016 reporting, PHMSA will not attempt to mail the "user name" and "password" for the Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) to operators, but will make the user name and password available in the PHMSA Portal.

Safety of Underground Natural Gas Storage Facilities

Effective Date: January 18, 2017.

§§191.1, 191.3, 191.15, 191.17, 191.21, 191.22, 191.23, 192.3, 192.7, and 192.12 are revised via an interim final rule (IFR) that addresses critical safety issues regarding downhole facilities, including wells, wellbore tubing, and casing, at underground natural gas storage facilities.

Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences

Effective Date: October 21, 2016.

§192.383(b) was corrected to reflect the date of April 14, 2017, after which the installation of an EFV on any new or replaced service line will be required.

Enhanced Emergency Order Procedures

Effective Date: October 14, 2016.

§§190.3 and 190.5 were updated and §§190.236 and 190.237 were added via an interim final rule (IFR) to implement to regulatory changes mandated by the "Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016" (PIPES Act). These changes address unsafe conditions or practices, or combination of unsafe conditions or practices, that pose an imminent hazard to public health and safety or the environment.

Note: On June 22, 2016, the "Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 or the PIPES Act of 2016" was signed into public law (Nº 114-183). The PIPES Act of 2016 ensures that PHMSA finishes out the 2011 Act requirements, reforms PHMSA to be a more dynamic, data-driven regulator, and provides regulatory certainty for citizens, the safety community, and the industry. This act:

• Improves safety by closing gaps in federal standards,

• Enhances the quality and timeliness of PHMSA rulemakings,

• Promotes better use of data and technology to improve pipeline safety, and

• Leverages federal and state pipeline safety resources.

Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences

Effective Date: April 14, 2017.

§§192.381, 192.383 were revised and §192.385 was added. These regulatory changes expand the Excess flow valves (EFV) requirement in order to include new or replaced gas service lines servicing single-family residences (SFR), multifamily residences, and small commercial entities consuming gas volumes not exceeding 1,000 Standard Cubic Feet per Hour (SCFH). Additionally, the use of either manual service line shut-off valves (e.g., curb valves) or EFVs, for new or replaced service lines with meter capacities exceeding 1,000 SCFH is stipulated. Operators are now required to notify customers of their right to request installation of an EFV on service lines that are not being newly installed or replaced