Source: https://www.pipelaws.com/2020/04/ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-prompts-gas-pipeline-enforcement-stay/
Timestamp: 2020-08-09 10:42:17
Document Index: 722152381

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', '§ 192', 'art 191']

Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Prompts Gas Pipeline Enforcement Stay | Pipelaws
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The stay is intended to provide operators with additional time to fully incorporate new procedures into their management of change processes “that may be slowed by the challenges of competing resource demands” caused by COVID-19. See also PHMSA press release here. The specific deadlines provisions for which enforcement is stayed include:
Requirements to prepare and implement procedures addressing requirements without a defined timeframe, including the following:
49 C.F.R. § 192.3 (new definitions);
49 C.F.R. § 192.5 (class location records);
49 C.F.R. § 192.7 (new standards incorporated by reference);
49 C.F.R. § 192.9 (gathering pipelines);
49 C.F.R. § 192.18 (PHMSA notifications);
49 C.F.R. § 192.67 (pipe material records);
49 C.F.R. § 192.127 (pipe design records);
49 C.F.R. § 192.150 (passage of in-line inspection);
49 C.F.R. § 192.205 (pipe component records);
49 C.F.R. § 192.493 (in-line inspection tools);
49 C.F.R. § 192.506 (spike pressure test);
49 C.F.R. § 192.517 (test records);
49 C.F.R. § 192.607 (material verification where applicable under 192.712);
49 C.F.R. § 192.619 (maximum allowable operating pressure);
49 C.F.R. § 192.710 (assessments outside of HCAs);
49 C.F.R. § 192.712 (analysis of predicted failure pressure);
49 C.F.R. § 192.805 (OQ program change notification);
49 C.F.R. § 192.909 (IM program change notification);
49 C.F.R. § 192.917 (threat identification);
49 C.F.R. § 192.921 (baseline assessment);
49 C.F.R. § 192.933 (temporary pressure reductions);
49 C.F.R. § 192.935 (preventive and mitigative measures outside force damage changes);
49 C.F.R. § 192.937 (continual evaluation);
49 C.F.R. § 192.939 (reassessment intervals); and
Appendix F (criteria for integrity assessments by guided wave ultrasonic testing).
Identification, scheduling, and performing of assessments of transmission pipelines located in piggable “medium consequence areas” (MCAs) operating over 30% of specified minimum yield strength (49 C.F.R. § 192.710).
There are limitations to the stay, however, particularly that is not applicable to the new 49 C.F.R. Part 191 reporting requirements or subsequent compliance deadlines for developing additional procedures, etc. PHMSA also notes that the stay can be rescinded “if [PHMSA] determines that a significant safety issue or other circumstances warrants doing so, including finding there is no longer a need for an exercise of enforcement discretion.” PHMSA also states that it will not object to the issuance of waivers, special permits, enforcement stays, or similar measures to intrastate gas operators for noncompliance with state regulations equivalent to the above regulations as a result of the pandemic.
For gas operators seeking to avail themselves of this enforcement stay, preparing and maintaining documentation that provides justification underlying the delay and why it is attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic will be key for subsequent pipeline safety inspections. Notably, the hazardous liquid rule also becomes effective on July 1, 2020, but PHMSA has not issued a corollary stay of enforcement for the deadlines associated with that, admittedly less expansive, rule for oil pipeline operators.
We will continue to monitor these developments. If you have any questions, contact Catherine Little or Annie Cook.
Tags: Enforcement Stay, Gas Mega Rule, PHMSA, pipeline safety