Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 172 / Thursday, September 6, 2007 / Notices 51301 

safety procedures used for filling, 

operating, and discharging MATs to 

determine whether additional safety 

procedures should be implemented. To 

this end, we request that persons who 

use such transportation systems to 

provide us with information on the 

effectiveness of the current DOT 

regulations, consensus standards, and 

industry best practices. We are also 

interested in any other procedures 

utilized to ensure that operations related 

to the transportation of acetylene on 

MATs are performed safely. 

We would also like to work with 

shippers, carriers, and facilities that 

receive shipments of acetylene in MATs 

to develop and implement a pilot 

program to test the effectiveness of 

current or alternative procedures or 

methods designed to enhance the safety 

of transportation operations involving 

acetylene on MATs. As part of this 

program, we will assist individual 

companies or facilities to evaluate the 

effectiveness of their current procedures 

and to identify additional measures that 

should be implemented. We welcome 

suggestions concerning how such a 

program should be structured and the 

entities that should participate. 

To ensure that our message reaches all 

stakeholders affected by these risks, we 

plan to communicate this advisory 

through our public affairs notification 

and outreach processes. For additional 

visibility, we have made this advisory 

available on the PHMSA homepage at 

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov and the DOT 

electronic docket site at http:// 

dms.dot.gov. In addition, if you are 

aware of other companies that are 

involved in the charging, operating, and 

discharging MATs, please share this 

advisory notice with them and, if 

possible, identify them in your 

correspondence with this agency. We 

believe a collaborative effort involving 

an integrated and cooperative approach 

will help us to address safety risks, 

reduce incidents, enhance safety, and 

protect the public. 

Issued in Washington, DC on August 30, 

2007. 

Theodore L. Willke, 

Associate Administrator for Hazardous 

Materials Safety. 

[FR Doc. 07–4355 Filed 9–5–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–60–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration 

[Docket No. PHMSA–2004–19856] 

Pipeline Safety: Updated Notification 

of the Susceptibility to Premature 

Brittle-Like Cracking of Older Plastic 

Pipe 

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration 

(PHMSA); DOT. 

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory 

Bulletin. 

SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this 

updated advisory bulletin to owners and 

operators of natural gas pipeline 

distribution systems concerning the 

susceptibility of older plastic pipe to 

premature brittle-like cracking. PHMSA 

previously issued three advisory 

bulletins on this subject: Two on March 

11, 1999 and one on November 26, 

2002. This advisory bulletin expands on 

the information provided in the three 

prior bulletins by listing two additional 

pipe materials with poor performance 

histories relative to brittle-like cracking 

and by updating pipeline owners and 

operators on the ongoing voluntary 

efforts to collect and analyze data on 

plastic pipe performance. Owners and 

operators of natural gas pipeline 

distribution systems are encouraged to 

review the three previous advisory 

bulletins in their entirety. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Richard Sanders at (405) 954–7214, or 

by e-mail at richard.sanders@dot.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. National Transportation Safety Board 

(NTSB) Investigation 

On April 23, 1998, the National 

Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 

issued its Special Investigation Report, 

Brittle-Like Cracking in Plastic Pipe for 

Gas Service, NTSB/SIR–98/01. The 

report described the results of the 

NTSB’s special investigation of 

polyethylene gas service pipe, which 

addressed three major safety issues: (1) 

Vulnerability of plastic piping to 

premature failures due to brittle-like 

cracking; (2) adequacy of available 

guidance relating to the installation and 

protection of plastic piping connections 

to steel mains; and, (3) effectiveness of 

performance monitoring of plastic 

pipeline systems to detect unacceptable 

performance in piping systems. 

(1) Vulnerability of plastic piping to 

premature failures due to brittle-like 

cracking: The NTSB found that failures 

in polyethylene pipe in actual service 

are frequently brittle-like, slit failures, 

not ductile failures. It concluded the 

number and similarity of plastic pipe 

accident and non-accident failures 

indicate past standards used to rate the 

long-term strength of plastic pipe may 

have overrated the strength and 

resistance to brittle-like cracking for 

much of the plastic pipe manufactured 

and used for gas service from the 1960s 

through the early 1980s. The NTSB also 

concluded any potential public safety 

hazards from these failures are likely to 

be limited to locations where stress 

intensification exists. The NTSB went 

on to state that more durable modern 

plastic piping materials and better 

strength testing have made the strength 

ratings of modern plastic piping more 

reliable. 

(2) Adequacy of available guidance 

relating to the installation and 

protection of plastic piping connections 

to steel mains: The NTSB concluded 

that gas pipeline operators had 

insufficient notification of the brittlelike failure potential for plastic pipe 

manufactured and used for gas service 

from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The 

NTSB also concluded this may not have 

allowed companies to implement 

adequate surveillance and replacement 

programs for older plastic piping. The 

NTSB explained the Gas Research 

Institute (GRI) developed a significant 

amount of data on older plastic pipe but 

the data was published in codified 

terms making it insufficient for use by 

pipeline system operators. The NTSB 

recommended that manufacturers of 

resin and pipe, industry trade groups 

and the Federal government do more to 

alert pipeline operators to the role 

played by stress intensification from 

external forces in the premature failure 

of plastic pipe due to brittle-like 

cracking. 

(3) Effectiveness of performance 

monitoring of plastic pipeline systems 

as a way of detecting unacceptable 

performance in piping systems: The 

NTSB’s analysis noted that Federal 

regulations require pipeline operators to 

have an ongoing program to monitor the 

performance of their pipeline systems. 

However, the NTSB investigation 

revealed some gas pipeline operators’

performance monitoring programs did 

not effectively collect and analyze data 

to determine the extent of possible 

hazards associated with plastic pipeline 

systems. The NTSB pointed out, ‘‘such 

a program must be adequate to detect 

trends as well as to identify localized 

problem areas, and it must be able to 

relate poor performance to specific 

factors such as plastic piping brands, 

dates of manufacture (or installation 

dates), and failure conditions.’’

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51302 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 172 / Thursday, September 6, 2007 / Notices 

Copies of this report may be obtained 

by searching the NTSB Web site at 

www.ntsb.gov. 

II. Advisory Bulletins Previously Issued 

by PHMSA 

The NTSB made several 

recommendations to PHMSA and to 

trade organizations in its 1998 special 

investigation report. In response, 

PHMSA issued three advisory bulletins. 

The first advisory bulletin, ADB–99–01, 

Potential Failure Due to Brittle-Like 

Cracking of Certain Polyethylene Plastic 

Pipe Manufactured by Century Utility 

Products Inc, was published in the 

Federal Register (FR) on March 11, 1999 

(64 FR 12211) to advise natural gas 

pipeline distribution system operators 

that brittle-like cracking may occur on 

certain polyethylene pipe manufactured 

by Century Utility Products, Inc. 

The second advisory bulletin, ADB–

99–02, Potential Failures Due to BrittleLike Cracking of Older Plastic Pipe in 

Natural Gas Distribution Systems, was 

also published in the Federal Register 

on March 11, 1999 (64 FR 12212) to 

advise natural gas pipeline distribution 

system operators of the potential for 

brittle-like cracking of plastic pipes 

installed between the 1960s and early 

1980s. 

The third advisory bulletin, ADB–02–

07, Notification of the Susceptibility To 

Premature Brittle-Like Cracking of Older 

Plastic Pipe, was published in the 

Federal Register on November 26, 2002 

(67 FR 70806) to reiterate to natural gas 

pipeline distribution system operators 

the susceptibility of older plastic pipe to 

premature brittle-like cracking. The 

older polyethylene pipe materials 

specifically identified in ADB–02–07 

included, but were not limited to: 

• Century Utility Products, Inc. 

products; 

• Low-ductile inner wall ‘‘Aldyl A’’

piping manufactured by DuPont 

Company before 1973; and 

• Polyethylene gas pipe designated 

PE 3306. 

This third advisory bulletin also listed 

several environmental, installation and 

service conditions in which plastic 

piping is used that could lead to 

premature brittle-like cracking failure. 

PHMSA also described six 

recommended practices for 

polyethylene gas pipeline system 

operators to aid them with identifying 

and managing brittle-like cracking 

problems. 

III. Plastic Pipe Studies 

Beginning January 25, 2001, the 

American Gas Association (AGA) began 

to collect data on in-service plastic 

piping material failures with the 

objective of identifying trends in the 

performance of these materials. The 

resulting leak survey data, collected 

from 2001 to present, on the county’s 

natural gas distribution systems 

includes both actual failure information 

and negative reports (reports of no 

leads) submitted voluntarily by 

participating pipeline operating 

companies. 

The AGA, PHMSA, and other 

industry and state organizations 

continue to collect and analyze the data. 

Unfortunately, the data cannot be 

correlated with the quantities of each 

plastic pipe material that may be in 

service across the United States. 

Therefore, the data does not assess the 

failure rates of individual plastic pipe 

materials on a linear basis (i.e. per foot, 

per mile, etc.). However, the failure data 

reinforces what is historically known 

about certain older plastic piping and 

components. The data also indicates the 

susceptibility of additional specific 

materials to brittle-like cracking. 

IV. Advisory Bulletin ADB–07–01 

To: Owners and Operators of Natural 

Gas Pipeline Distribution Systems. 

Subject: Updated Notification of the 

Susceptibility of Older Plastic Pipes to 

Premature Brittle-Like Cracking. 

Advisory: All owners and operators of 

natural gas distribution systems who 

have installed and operate plastic 

piping are reminded of the phenomenon 

of brittle-like cracking. Brittle-like 

cracking refers to crack initiation in the 

pipe wall not immediately resulting in 

a full break followed by stable crack 

growth at stress levels much lower than 

the stress required for yielding. This 

results in very tight, slit-like, openings 

and gas leaks. Although significant 

cracking may occur at points of stress 

concentration and near improperly 

designed or installed fittings, small 

brittle-like cracks may be difficult to 

detect until a significant amount of gas 

leaks out of the pipe, and potentially 

migrates into an enclosed space such as 

a basement. Premature brittle-like 

cracking requires relatively high 

localized stress intensification that may 

result from geometrical discontinuities, 

excessive bending, improper installation 

of fittings, dents and/or gouges. Because 

this failure mode exhibits no evidence 

of gross yielding at the failure location, 

the term brittle-like cracking is used. 

This phenomenon is different from 

brittle fracture, in which the pipe failure 

causes fragmentation of the pipe. 

All owners and operators of natural 

gas distribution systems are future 

advised to review the three earlier 

advisory bulletins on this issue. In 

addition to being available in the 

Federal Register, these advisory 

bulletins are available in the docket, and 

on PHMSA’s Web site at http:// 

phmsa.dot.gov/ under Pipeline Safety 

Regulations. 

In the first advisory bulletin, ADB–

99–01, published on March 11, 1999 (64 

FR 12211), PHMSA advises natural gas 

distribution system operators of the 

potential for poor resistance to brittlelike cracking of certain polyethylene 

pipe manufactured by Century Utility 

Products, Inc. In the second advisory 

bulletin, ADB–99–02, published on 

March 11, 1999 (64 FR 12212), PHMSA 

advises natural gas distribution system 

operators of the potential for brittle-like 

cracking of plastic pipes installed 

between the 1960s and early 1980s. 

In the third advisory bulletin, ADB–

02–07, published on November 26, 2002 

(67 FR 70806), PHMSA reiterates to 

pipeline operators the susceptibility of 

some older plastic pipe to premature 

brittle-like cracking which could 

substantially reduce the service life of 

natural gas distribution systems and to 

explain the mission of the Plastic Pipe 

Database Committee (PPDC) ‘‘to develop 

and maintain a voluntary data collection 

process that supports the analysis of the 

frequency and causes of in-service 

plastic piping material failures.’’ The 

advisory bulletin also lists several 

environmental, installation and service 

conditions under which plastic piping 

is used which is used which could lead 

to premature brittle-like cracking 

failure. PHMSA also describes six 

recommended practices for 

polyethylene gas pipeline system 

operators to aid them with identifying 

and managing brittle-like cracking 

problems. 

Lastly, the susceptibility of some 

polyethylene pipes to brittle-like 

cracking is dependent on the resin, pipe 

processing, and service conditions. As 

noted in ADB–02–07, these older 

polyethylene pipe materials include, but 

are not limited to: 

• Century Utility Products, Inc. 

products; 

• Low-ductile inner wall ‘‘Aldyl A’’

piping manufactured by DuPont 

Company before 1973; and 

• Polyethylene gas pipe designated 

PE 3306. 

The data now supports adding the 

following pipe materials to this list: 

• Delrin insert tap tees; and, 

• Plexco service tee Celcon 

(polyacetal) caps. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. chapter 601 and 49 

CFR 1.53. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 172 / Thursday, September 6, 2007 / Notices 51303 

Issued in Washington, DC, on August 28, 

2007. 

Jeffrey D. Wiese, 

Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. 

[FR Doc. 07–4309 Filed 9–5–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–60–M 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration 

[Docket No. PHMSA–2007–28993] 

Pipeline Safety: Adequacy of Internal 

Corrosion Regulations for Hazardous 

Liquid Pipelines 

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration 

(PHMSA), U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of availability of 

materials; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces the 

availability of materials, including a 

briefing paper prepared for PHMSA’s 

Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline 

Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) 

and data on risks posed by internal 

corrosion on hazardous liquid pipelines. 

PHMSA is preparing a report to 

Congress on the adequacy of the internal 

corrosion regulations for hazardous 

liquid pipelines. Participants at a 

meeting of the THLPSSC discussed 

issues involved in examining the 

adequacy of the regulations and 

requested additional data. PHMSA 

requests public comment on these 

matters. 

DATES: Submit comments by October 9, 

2007. 

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference 

Docket No. PHMSA–2007–28993 and 

may be submitted in the following ways: 

• E-Gov Web site: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. This Web site 

allows the public to enter comments on 

any Federal Register notice issued by 

any agency. Follow the instructions for 

submitting comments. 

• Fax: 1–202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Management System: 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, Room W12–

140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery: DOT Docket 

Management System, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 

DC 20590–0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Instructions: Identify the docket 

number, PHMSA–2007–28993, at the 

beginning of your comments. If you 

submit your comments by mail, submit 

two copies. To receive confirmation that 

PHMSA received your comments, 

include a self-addressed stamped 

postcard. Internet users may submit 

comments at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

Note: Comments are posted without 

changes or edits to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any personal 

information provided. There is a privacy 

statement published on http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Barbara Betsock at (202) 366–4361, or by 

e-mail at barbara.betsock@dot.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Pipeline Inspection, Protection, 

Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 

directs PHMSA to review the internal 

corrosion regulations in subpart H of 49 

CFR part 195 to determine if they are 

adequate to ensure adequate protection 

of the public and environment and to 

report to Congress on the results of the 

review. As an initial step in the review, 

PHMSA consulted the THLPSSC at its 

meeting on July 24, 2007. The briefing 

paper prepared for the committee 

members contains preliminary data on 

risk history as well as questions relating 

to the internal corrosion regulations. 

This briefing paper is posted on 

PHMSA’s pipeline Web site (http:// 

ops.dot.gov) and has been placed in the 

docket. 

At the meeting, PHMSA officials 

committed to gathering additional data 

responding to questions posed by the 

committee members. PHMSA has 

updated the data and included data 

responsive to the committee members. 

This data is also posted on the pipeline 

Web site and contained in the docket. 

PHMSA requests comments on the 

adequacy of the internal corrosion 

regulations and answers to the questions 

posed in the briefing paper. PHMSA 

will use these comments in its review of 

the internal corrosion regulations. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60102, 60115, 60117: 

Sec. 22, Pub. L. 109–468, 120 Stat. 3499. 

Issued in Washington, DC on August 27, 

2007. 

Jeffrey D. Wiese, 

Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. 

[FR Doc. E7–17538 Filed 9–5–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–60–P 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

[OMB Control No. 2900–0675] 

Proposed Information Collection 

Activity: Proposed Collection; 

Comment Request 

AGENCY: Center for Veterans Enterprise, 

Department of Veterans Affairs. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Center for Veterans 

Enterprise (CVE), Department of 

Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an 

opportunity for public comment on the 

proposed collection of certain 

information by the agency. Under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 

1995, Federal agencies are required to 

publish notice in the Federal Register 

concerning each proposed collection of 

information, including each proposed 

extension of a currently approved 

collection, and allow 60 days for public 

comment in response to the notice. This 

notice solicits comments for information 

needed to identify veteran-owned 

businesses. 

DATES: Written comments and 

recommendations on the proposed 

collection of information should be 

received on or before November 5, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments 

on the collection of information through 

http://www.Regulations.gov; or Gail 

Wegner (00VE), Department of Veterans 

Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: 

gail.wegner@va.gov. Please refer to 

‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0675’’ in any 

correspondence. During the comment 

period, comments may be viewed online 

through the Federal Docket Management 

System (FDMS) at http:// 

www.Regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail 

Wegner at (202) 303–3296 or FAX (202) 

254–0238. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 

PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 

3501–3521), Federal agencies must 

obtain approval from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for each 

collection of information they conduct 

or sponsor. This request for comment is 

being made pursuant to section 

3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. 

With respect to the following 

collection of information, CVE invites 

comments on: (1) Whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of CVE’s 

functions, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) the accuracy of CVE’s estimate of the 

burden of the proposed collection of 

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