PHMSA recently issued pre-publication copies of several rules and notices, which have now been formally published in the Federal Register, triggering various deadlines.
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Distribution
Distribution Excess Flow Valve Rule Finalized
PHMSA released a pre-publication copy of its final rule expanding requirements for excess flow valves in natural gas distribution service pipelines. …
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New Research Indicates Decreased Methane Emissions from Distribution Pipelines
Regulators and researchers alike have long been trying to accurately estimate leakage rates from natural gas infrastructure, in order to understand the potential effects of such emissions on climate and human health. …
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EPA Inspector General Recommends Improvements to Address Methane Emissions
In a report issued on July 25, 2014, EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a series of recommendations for EPA to increase its efforts to reduce methane emissions from natural gas distribution pipelines, including partnering with PHMSA to develop a joint strategy. …
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Extension of Comment Period on Revisions to PHMSA Gas Reporting Forms
Additional proposed revisions to natural gas reporting forms signal that PHMSA continues to rely on this data to analyze operator performance metrics and inform future rulemakings. By notice issued on November 27, 2013, the Agency responded to comments on revisions to several natural gas reporting forms that it proposed in June (see prior posting…
House Committee Issues Report Recommending Assessment and Repair of Leaking Distribution Systems
The Democratic staff of the House Natural Resources Committee issued a report entitled: “America Pays for Gas Leaks: Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks Cost Consumers Billions”. The report concludes that leaks and “lost and unaccounted for” natural gas from aging distribution systems result in unacceptable costs to consumers, contribute to climate change, and threaten public…
PHMSA Requests Comments on Revised Reporting Forms for Gas Distribution Pipelines
On February 13, 2013, PHMSA published a notice of its intent to revise the gas distribution annual report (PHMSA F7100.1–1). PHMSA received comments in response to that notice from the American Gas Association and the American Public Gas Association. In today’s notice, PHMSA responds to the comments by: (a) revising Part A, Section 7 of…
PHMSA Requests Comments Regarding Renewal of Control Room Management and DIMP Information Collection
PHMSA has requested comments on an information collection request that it will submit for OMB renewal. Specifically, the Agency will request renewal and a three year term of approval for the following information collection (1) liquid and gas operators human factors management plan designed to reduce risk associated with human factors in the control room…
PHMSA Issues Advisory Bulletin on Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports Required Under DIMP
PHMSA issued an Advisory Bulletin to provide clarification to gas distribution pipeline owners and operators regarding mechanical fitting failure reports, PHMSA Form 7100.1-2, required under the distribution integrity management regulations (49 CFR Part 192.1009). In particular, with regard to the cause of a leak, PHMSA instructs operators to classify a mechanical fitting failure due to…
PHMSA Announces Public DIMP Meeting
PHMSA and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) are sponsoring a public meeting on June 27, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss operator implementation of and compliance with the Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) regulations (49 CFR Part 192, Subpart P). PHMSA, NAPSR, and industry representatives will share observations from initial PHMSA…