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Chronology of Changes for Pipeline Regulations, March 2018 Edition The following Federal Register final rulings take effect between March 1st 2017, and March 1st, 2018. These changes are emphasized throughout the text of this book edition. Thursday, April 27, 2017 (Federal Register Volume 82, Nº 80) [2137-AF16] 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.
Monday, April 10, 2017 (Federal Register Volume 82, Nº 67) [ADB-2017-02] Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program §192.915 Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2017-02)): 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".
Monday, January 23, 2017 (Federal Register Volume 82, Nº 13) [2137-AE94] Operator Qualification, Cost Recovery, Accident and Incident Notification, and Other Pipeline Safety Changes Effective Date: March 24, 2017. The Sections listed below were updated to address requirements of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 and to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements. PHMSA added a specific time frame for telephonic or electronic notifications of accidents and incidents and added provisions for cost recovery for design reviews of certain new projects, for the renewal of expiring special permits, and set out the process for requesting protection of confidential commercial information. PHMSA also amended the drug and alcohol testing requirements, and incorporated consensus standards by reference for in-line inspection (ILI) and Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment (SCCDA). Part 190 §§190.3, 190.341 (revised) and 190.343, 190 Subpart E §§190.401 - 190.411 (added) Part 191 §§191.3, 191.5, and 191.22 (revised), Part 192 §§192.14, 192.175, 192.225, 192.227, 192.631, 192.1003 (revised) and 192.740 (added), Part 195 §§195.3, 195.5, 195.52, 195.64, 195.120, 195.214, 195.222, 195.248, 195.446, 195.452, 195.588, (revised) and 195.591 (added) Part 199 §§199.105, 199.117, 199.119, 199.225, 199.227, 199.229 (revised)
Friday, October 14, 2016 (Federal Register Volume 81, Nº 199) [2137-AE71] 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 (revised) and §192.385 added. Excess flow valves (EFV), which are safety devices installed on natural gas distribution pipelines to reduce the risk of accidents, are currently required for new or replaced gas service lines servicing single-family residences (SFR), as that phrase is defined in 49 CFR 192.383(a). This final rule makes changes to part 192 to expand this requirement to include new or replaced branched service lines servicing SFRs, multifamily residences, and small commercial entities consuming gas volumes not exceeding 1,000 Standard Cubic Feet per Hour (SCFH). PHMSA also amended part 192 to require the use of either manual service line shut-off valves (e.g., curb valves) or EFVs, if appropriate, for new or replaced service lines with meter capacities exceeding 1,000 SCFH. Lastly, this final rule requires operators to notify customers of their right to request installation of an EFV on service lines that are not being newly installed or replaced. PHMSA has left the question of who bears the cost of installing EFVs on service lines not being newly installed or replaced to the operator's rate-setter.
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