Pending Advanced Notices of Proposed Rulemakings
Proceeding
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DOT Estimated Submission to OMB
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DOT Estimated Publication
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OIRA Estimated Publication
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ANPRM: Class Location Requirements |
May 8, 2018 |
June 1, 2018 |
June 2018 |
Coastal Ecological Unusually Sensitive Areas |
Not Listed |
Not Listed |
November 2018 |
Under Executive Order (EO) 12866, OMB reviews proposed significant rules to ensure they are consistent with applicable law, the President’s priorities, and the principles set forth in the EO, and to ensure the proposals do not conflict with another agency’s policies or actions. OMB also analyzes the cost-benefit analyses in support of the proposals. The EO sets out deadlines for OMB evaluation, but review periods are often extended.
OTHER PHMSA UPDATES
Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee will meet September 6-7 to discuss proposed rule affecting gas gathering pipelines. PHMSA has indicated that the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) will meet on September 6-7 to discuss the NPRM addressing the Safety of Gas Gathering Lines. In March, PHMSA announced that it was dividing the Gas Transmission and Gathering proposed rule into three separate final rules, one of which will address new regulations applicable to gas gathering pipelines. The Committee is expected to address reporting requirements, safety regulations for Class 1 gathering lines, and definitions related to gas gathering.
PHMSA requests comments on renewal of information collection requests. On May 17, PHMSA issued a notice extending the comment period for two recent information collection requests that were previously issued on March 6 and that expire on May 31. The first information collection involves the requirement that operators who do not operate buried gas lines located downstream of a customer’s service line send written notices to customers describing the proper maintenance of such lines and the potential hazards of not properly maintaining them. Operators are required to maintain a copy of the notice currently in use and evidence that notices were sent to customers within the previous three years. The second information collection relates to the requirement that operators develop and implement written continuing public education programs and submit them to either PHMSA or a State Authority. Comments are due June 18.
UPDATES FROM OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics announces proposed new data collection relating to oil and gas industry safety information. On May 7, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) issued a notice and request for comments announcing a proposed new information collection under which BTS will collect safety and risk management data from the oil and gas industry to assist BTS in administering the Oil and Gas Industry Safety Data Program. The Oil and Gas Industry Safety Data Program is a component of the SafeOCS program developed and implemented in 2013 with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) for the confidential reporting of near misses occurring on the Outer Continental Shelf. Under the proposed information collection, BTS would collect voluntarily reported data under a pledge of confidentiality for statistical purposes only. Comments are due July 6.
SELECT UPDATES FROM STATES
COLORADO
Introduced April 23, HB 1419, the Preventing Explosions, Nondisclosures, and Toxic Releases Act, would require the Colorado Oil and Gas Conversation Commission to promulgate rules to ensure proper wellhead integrity of all oil and gas production wells and to address their permitting, construction and closure. Each oil and gas operator would be required to provide electronic notice of the location of each flow line and gathering pipeline installed, owned or operated to the Commission and each local government within whose jurisdiction the subsurface facility is located. The bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives on May 1. On May 2, the Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs recommended to postpone the bill indefinitely.
DELAWARE
Introduced on April 30, SB 189 would amend the Delaware Underground Utility and Safety Act to require notification of excavation damage to the Delaware Public Service Commission and the Attorney General within 15 working days for potential enforcement proceedings. The bill provides that either the Attorney General or the Public Service Commission may enforce penalties appropriate for the circumstances and gravity of the violation. The bill has been referred to the Senate Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Committee.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is seeking additional comments regarding proposed revisions to its proposed regulations that would adopt uniform natural gas leak classification requirements. Specifically, the Department is requesting additional comments on the estimated costs for each local distribution company to implement the leak‐extent and barhole methods for identifying non-hazardous, environmentally significant leaks. Comments are due May 18, and reply comments are due May 25.
WASHINGTON
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has proposed adopting by reference the versions of 49 C.F.R. Parts 191, 192, 193, 195, 198, and 199 that were in effect on January 23, 2017, except for the sections identifying the scope of those regulations. The rule has been proposed under an expedited process. Objections must be received in writing by June 18.
To download a full text PDF, which includes Dates of Interest, upcoming PHMSA State Seminars, and State Specific Association Meetings, please click here.