[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82294-82296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23435]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0137]


Pipeline Safety: Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA 
invites public comments about PHMSA's intention to request Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew eight information 
collections that are scheduled to expire in 2025. PHMSA has reviewed 
each information collection and considers them vital to maintaining 
pipeline safety. As such, PHMSA will request renewal from OMB, without 
change, for each information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 9, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
    E-Gov Website: http://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the 
public to submit comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any 
agency.
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation 
(DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground level of DOT, West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: Identify the docket number, PHMSA-2024-0137, at the 
beginning of your comments. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. You should know that anyone is able to 
search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our 
dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). Therefore, you may want to review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477) or visit http://www.regulations.gov 
before submitting any such comments.
    Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to Room W12-
140 on the ground level of DOT, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of 
receipt of your written comments, please include a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard with the following statement: ``Comments on: PHMSA-
2024-0137.'' The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to 
returning it to you via the U.S. mail. Please note that due to delays 
in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington, DC, we 
recommend that persons consider an alternative method (internet, fax, 
or professional delivery service) of submitting comments to the docket 
and ensuring their timely receipt at DOT.
    Privacy Act Statement: DOT may solicit comments from the public 
regarding certain general notices. DOT posts these comments, without 
edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to 
www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL--14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 
public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this notice contain 
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as 
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or 
responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate 
the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask 
PHMSA to give confidential treatment to information you give to the 
Agency by taking the following steps: (1) mark each page of the 
original document submission containing CBI as ``Confidential''; (2) 
send PHMSA, along with the original document, a second copy of the 
original document with the CBI deleted; and (3) explain why the 
information you are submitting is CBI. Unless you are notified 
otherwise, PHMSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential 
under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of 
this notice. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Angela Hill, 
DOT, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, PHP-30, Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this matter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Hill by telephone at 202-366-
1246 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cddf2fbf9f0fdb2d4f5f0f0dcf8f3e8b2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b1a353c3e373a75133237371b3f342f753c342d">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
section 1320.8(d), requires PHMSA to provide interested members of the 
public and affected agencies the opportunity to comment on information 
collection and recordkeeping requests before they are submitted to OMB 
for approval. This notice identifies eight information collection 
requests that PHMSA will submit to OMB for renewal and requests comment 
from interested parties. The information collections (including their 
expiration dates) are as follows: (1) OMB control number 2137-0627, 
OPID Assignment Request and Registry Notifications (03/31/2025); (2) 
OMB control number 2137-0600, Qualification of Pipeline Safety Training 
(04/30/2025); (3) OMB control number 2137-0605, Hazardous Liquid 
Integrity Management (04/30/2025); (4) OMB control number 2137-0622, 
Public Awareness Program (04/30/2025); (5) OMB control number 2137-
0584, Gas and Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification (05/31/
2025); (6) OMB control number 2137-0589, Response Plans for Onshore Oil 
Pipelines (9/30/2025); (7) OMB control number 2137-0610, Gas 
Transmission Integrity Management in HCAs (09/30/2025); and (8) OMB 
2137-0624, Control Room Management/Human Factors (09/30/2025).
    The following information is provided for these information 
collections: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control 
number; (3) Current expiration date; (4) Type of request; (5) Abstract 
of the information collection activity; (6) Description of affected 
public; (7) Estimate of total annual reporting and recordkeeping 
burden; and (8) Frequency of collection.
    PHMSA will request a three-year term of approval for each of the 
following information collection activities. PHMSA requests comments on 
the following information:
    1. Title: OPID Assignment Request and Registry Notifications.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0627.
    Current Expiration Date: 3/31/2025.

[[Page 82295]]

    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: The National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators 
serves as the storehouse for the reporting requirements for an operator 
regulated or subject to reporting requirements under 49 CFR parts 192, 
193, or 195. This mandatory information collection would require 
jurisdictional pipeline operators to submit the required data to 
register with the National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators and 
notify PHMSA when they experience significant asset changes, including 
new construction, that affect PHMSA's ability to accurately monitor and 
assess pipeline safety performance. Certain types of changes to, or 
within, an operator's facilities or pipeline network represent 
potential safety-altering activities for which PHMSA may need to 
inspect, investigate, or otherwise oversee to ensure that any public 
safety concerns are adequately and proactively addressed. The forms for 
assigning and maintaining Operator Identification (OPID) information 
are the Operator Assignment Request Form (PHMSA F 1000.1) and Operator 
Registry Notification Form (PHMSA F 1000.2). The purpose of this 
information collection is to maintain an accurate assessment of the 
nation's pipeline infrastructure and to be kept abreast of conditions 
that could potentially compromise the safety and economic viability of 
the U.S. pipeline system. Due to the provisions contained within the 
Safety of Gas Gathering Pipelines: Extension of Reporting Requirements, 
Regulation of Large, High-Pressure Lines, and Other Related Amendments 
final rule, gas gathering pipeline operators must now request OPIDs due 
to the repeal of the reporting exception for gathering pipelines other 
than regulated gathering lines as determined in Sec.  192.8. PHMSA 
plans to adjust the burden for this information collection to account 
for this addition to the reporting community.
    Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid 
pipeline systems and operators of liquefied natural gas facilities.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated number of responses: 744.
    Estimated annual burden hours: 744.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.
    2. Title: Qualification of Pipeline Safety Training.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0600.
    Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: 49 CFR part 192 subpart N and part 195 subpart G require 
all individuals who operate and maintain pipeline facilities to be 
qualified and keep records of qualification. The purpose of this 
mandatory information collection request is to ensure compliance with 
the record keeping requirements prescribed in the federal pipeline 
safety regulations. Pipeline operators must make and maintain the 
records as described and have those records available for compliance 
inspection by PHMSA staff upon request. Examples of such records 
include the identification of qualified individuals; identification of 
covered tasks; dates of current qualification; and qualification 
methods. Records supporting an individual's current qualification shall 
be maintained while the individual is performing the covered task. 
Records of prior qualification and records of individuals no longer 
performing covered tasks shall be retained for a period of five years.
    Affected Public: Operators of PHMSA-regulated pipelines.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Total Annual Responses: 29,172.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,293.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    3. Title: Hazardous Liquid Integrity Management.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0605.
    Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Operators of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines are required to 
document the continual assessment and evaluation of their pipelines' 
integrity through inspection or testing, as well as remedial 
preventive, and mitigative actions. In cases where a determination 
about pipeline threats has not been obtained within 180 days following 
the date of inspection, pipeline operators must notify PHMSA in writing 
and provide an expected date when adequate information will become 
available. Operators must also notify PHMSA if they are unable to 
assess their pipeline via an in-line inspection. Operators who choose 
to use an alternate assessment method must demonstrate that their 
pipeline is not capable of accommodating an in-line inspection tool and 
that the use of an alternative assessment method will provide a 
substantially equivalent understanding of the condition of the 
pipeline. This mandatory record keeping requirement supports the U.S. 
Department of Transportation's ``SAFETY STRATEGIC GOAL'' which targets 
three main strategic initiatives: managing risk and integrity, sharing 
responsibility, and providing effective stewardship. This goal enhances 
public health and safety by working toward the elimination of 
transportation-related deaths and injuries. This information is used by 
PHMSA to determine compliance with federal pipeline safety regulations 
and is also used by Agency and State Officials to assist federal and 
state pipeline safety inspectors who audit this information when they 
conduct compliance inspections and to provide background for failure 
investigations.
    Affected Public: Operators of hazardous liquid pipeline systems.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated number of responses: 10,515.
    Estimated annual burden hours: 344,807.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    4. Title: Public Awareness Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0622.
    Current Expiration Date: 04/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: This information collection request would require 
pipeline operators to develop and implement public awareness programs. 
The public awareness programs should establish communications and 
provide information necessary to enhance public understanding of how 
pipelines function and the public's role in promoting pipeline safety. 
This mandatory information collection requires operators to submit 
their completed programs to PHMSA or, in the case of an intrastate 
pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State agency. The 
operator's program documentation and evaluation results must also be 
available for periodic review by appropriate regulatory agencies. This 
information will be used by PHMSA to evaluate compliance with pipeline 
safety regulations. The purpose of the collection is to prevent the 
risks caused by unintentional pipeline releases and their impact on the 
public and the environment.
    Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid 
pipelines.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated number of responses: 45,004.
    Estimated annual burden hours: 517,546.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    5. Title: Gas and Liquid Pipeline Safety Program Certification.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0584.
    Current Expiration Date: 05/31/2025.

[[Page 82296]]

    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Section 60105 of 49 U.S.C. sets forth specific 
requirements a state must meet to qualify for certification status to 
assume regulatory and enforcement responsibility for intrastate 
pipelines, i.e., state adoption of minimum federal safety standards, 
state inspection of pipeline operators to determine compliance with the 
standards, and state provision for enforcement sanctions substantially 
the same as those authorized by chapter 601, 49 U.S.C. A state must 
submit an annual certification to assume responsibility for regulating 
intrastate pipelines, and states who receive Federal grant funding must 
have adequate damage prevention plans and associated records in place. 
PHMSA uses this information to evaluate a state's eligibility for 
Federal grants and to enforce regulatory compliance. This information 
collection request requires a participating state to annually submit a 
Gas Pipeline Safety Program Certification and/or a Hazardous Liquid 
Pipeline Safety Program Certification to PHMSA's Office of Pipeline 
Safety (OPS) signifying compliance with the terms of the certification 
and to maintain records detailing a damage prevention plan for PHMSA 
inspectors whenever requested. The purpose of the collection is to 
exercise oversight of the grant program and to ensure that states are 
compliant with federal pipeline safety regulations.
    Affected Public: Operators of pipeline facilities.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated number of responses: 117.
    Estimated annual burden hours: 4,473.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.
    6. Title: Response Plans for Onshore Oil Pipelines.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0589.
    Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 194 requires an operator of an onshore 
oil pipeline facility to prepare and submit an oil spill response plan 
to PHMSA for review and approval. This mandatory recordkeeping 
requirement details operators' plans to prepare for emergency 
situations involving oil spills. This mandatory information collection 
is used by PHMSA to determine if an operator is compliant with the 
requirements in part 194. Plans are submitted and/or updated annually. 
This information collection covers operators' submission of facility 
response plans for onshore hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
    Affected Public: Operators of onshore oil pipeline facilities.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated number of responses: 540.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 73,980.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    7. Title: Gas Transmission Integrity Management in High Consequence 
Areas.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0610.
    Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: This mandatory information collection request pertains to 
gas transmission operators jurisdictional to 49 CFR part 192 subpart O 
Gas Transmission Integrity Management Program. The information 
collection requires gas transmission operators in high consequence 
areas to maintain a written integrity management program and keep 
records that demonstrate compliance with 49 CFR part 192 subpart O. 
Operators must maintain their integrity management records for the life 
of the pipeline, and PHMSA or State regulators may review it as a part 
of inspections. Gas transmission operators are also required to report 
to PHMSA certain actions related to their integrity management program. 
This information collection supports the DOT strategic goal of safety 
by reducing the number of incidents in natural gas transmission 
pipelines.
    Affected Public: Operators of gas transmission pipeline systems.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated Number of Responses: 733.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,018,807.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    8. Title: Control Room Management/Human Factors.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0624.
    Current Expiration Date: 09/30/2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal with no change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines must 
develop, implement, and submit a human factors management plans 
designed to reduce risk associated with human factors in each control 
room. This mandatory record keeping requirement supports the U.S. 
Department of Transportation's ``SAFETY STRATEGIC GOAL'' which targets 
three main strategic initiatives: managing risk and integrity, sharing 
responsibility, and providing effective stewardship. This goal enhances 
public health and safety by working toward the elimination of 
transportation-related deaths and injuries. The information is used by 
PHMSA to determine compliance with federal pipeline safety regulations 
and is also used by Agency and State Officials to assist federal and 
state pipeline safety inspectors who audit this information when they 
conduct compliance inspections and to provide background for failure 
investigations.
    Affected Public: Operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid 
pipeline systems.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden:
    Estimated Number of Responses: 11,656.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 127,328.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) The need for the renewal and revision of these collections of 
information for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques.
    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2024, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
John A. Gale,
Director, Standards and Rulemaking Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-23435 Filed 10-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P


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