Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments, Final Rule
Federal Register Volume 84, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2019)
[Rules and Regulations] [Pages 52180-52257]
Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 191 and 192
[Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023; Amdt. Nos. 191-26; 192-125] RIN 2137-AE72
Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments, Final Rule
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: PHMSA is revising the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to improve the safety of onshore gas transmission pipelines. This final rule addresses congressional mandates, National Transportation Safety Board recommendations, and responds to public input. The amendments in this final rule address integrity management requirements and other requirements, and they focus on the actions an operator must take to reconfirm the maximum allowable operating pressure of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines and pipelines lacking certain material or operational records, the periodic assessment of pipelines in populated areas not designated as ``high consequence areas,'' the reporting of exceedances of maximum allowable operating pressure, the consideration of seismicity as a risk factor in integrity management, safety features on in-line inspection launchers and receivers, a 6-month grace period for 7-calendar-year integrity management reassessment intervals, and related recordkeeping provisions.
DATES: The effective date of this final rule is July 1, 2020. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 1, 2020. The incorporation by reference of ASME/ANSI B31.8S was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 14, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical questions: Steve Nanney, Project Manager, by telephone at 713-272-2855. General information: Robert Jagger, Senior Transportation Specialist, by telephone at 202- 366-4361.
(ViaData note: see above to download the PDF of the entire final rule)