Source: https://viadata.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/state-pipeline-safety-regulation-uupdates-april-may-2019/
Timestamp: 2019-08-24 20:54:42
Document Index: 1770253

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 191', 'arts 191', '§ 6533', '§ 6533', '§ 1726', '§ 9']

State Pipeline Safety Regulation Updates – April/May 2019 – The WinDOT Report
State Pipeline Safety Regulation Updates – April/May 2019
Here are pipeline safety legislative updates for April/May 2019. Click on a region below to see details.
SB678 would require certain proposed excavation markings to be made with materials that begin to fade three months after such markings are made.
[Favorable from Senate Joint Committee on Energy and Technology 3/26/19]
SB887 would secure access to gas utility and pipeline facilities for PURA personnel, provide whistleblower protection to employees of those facilities, add to the federal minimum requirements for operator qualification of individuals performing covered tasks on a pipeline facility, add requirements for utilization of geographic information systems for pipeline mapping and provide PURA real-time, read-only access to its electronic systems.
[Public hearing held 2/26/2019]
SB888 would To require that civil penalties for the failure of a public utility to properly or timely mark the approximate location of an underground facility be paid by the person, public agency or public utility to whom the notice of failure to comply is addressed.
[In Joint Committee on Energy and Technology]
SB988 This bill would require each construction contractor hired by a public utility to install or replace natural gas distribution infrastructure with only employees who have successfully completed all training and certifications the state requires for performing such work and notify the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s Gas Pipeline Safety Unit when hiring or using a contractor who is not a state resident. The notification must include confirmation that the contractor successfully completed the training and certifications the state requires.
[favorable report from Committee on Energy and Technology 4/24/2019]
HB6246 would require PURA to set a schedule for local gas distribution companies to repair all existing hazardous and nonhazardous gas leaks and require all new hazardous and nonhazardous gas leaks to be repaired within two business days of being reported.
Additional bills that address improving excavation safety were also introduced recently.
The following bills were introduced and referred to the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committee on 2/7/2019:
SB258 would require utilities to meet with local emergency management organizations twice per year, and outlines the information that operators would be required to transmit.
The following bill was introduced and referred to the Environmental Resources and Energy committee on 2/26/2019:
A group of bills were introduced on 3/25/19 as part of a “Pipeline Safety Package” and are currently in the House Consumer Affairs committee.
HB 5692 / SB 539 would require any public utility or its contractor to reimburse an excavator for lost time expense incurred, including manpower and equipment from the utilities incorrect marking of underground utilities.
[Held in both chambers for further study.]
S1176, approved in March and effective on July 1, 2019 requires that the State Corporation Commission make finalized enforcement actions and reports of investigations available on request. Reports must have sensitive information removed or redacted.
A third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with amendments to Chapter 15-37 DCMR Natural Gas Quality of Service Standards was filed on 11/30/2018 to modify reporting requirements for gas outages and incidents; reporting and repairing requirements for gas leaks and odor complaints; reporting and responding requirements for gas emergencies; customer service standards and surveys; reliability standards; and compliance reporting. The amendments also propose remedies for violations that may include forfeiture or civil penalties.
The Public Service Commission has filed its rules for Telephonic Reporting of Accidents/Incidents for inclusion on the Alabama Administrative Code. The new rules provide a more complete definition of “incident” and “accident” and require notification to the Gas Pipeline Safety office within 1 hour of confirmed discovery.
[Effective 4/17/19]
SB315 Creates the 17-member Underground Damage Prevention Authority to enforce the notification requirement penalties provisions of the “One-Call Notification System”; (1) for a first violation, a fine not to exceed $500; (2) for a second violation, a fine not to exceed $1,000; (3) for a third and subsequent violations, a fine not to exceed $4,000; and (4) for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for a violation that is a result of gross negligence. This bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to provide administrative support to the Authority.
[Third reading in Senate 5/7/2019]
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has initiated a rulemaking to update its LP gas rules to reflect the significant changes were made to Chapter 527, Florida Statutes during the 2018 legislative session. The proposed rules are being amended to:
Repeal redundant, unnecessary rules;
Update incorporated forms and standard references, and eliminate forms that are no longer necessary;
Clarify vague definitions;
Clarify that department inspectors will no longer use a “Red Tag” to prohibit use, but Stop Use Orders consistent with other bureau programs;
Clarify the type of leak survey required for underground tanks, remove unnecessary common use definition and remove exemptions for certain underground tanks defined by 49 CFR;
Add required user notification after a dealer repairs or alters a LP gas system in case indoor appliances have been affected posing a safety hazard;
Update CEU training requirements;
Update penalty rules to be consistent with department standard and add notice of noncompliance in lieu of warning letter to reduce administrative procedures; and update resolution, settlement and remedies rules to meet current department standard.
The Public Service Commission has proposed amendments to its rules to incorporate by reference the 2018 edition of 49 CFR Parts 191, 192 and 199.
H872 would do all of the following:
The bill would also authorize the Board to impose a fee on operators in order to fund the activities and operations of the Board in reviewing reports of alleged violations of this Article. The fee would be based on the jurisdictional revenues of an operator, and must be set at a rate that the total proceeds of all fees collected would not exceed $200,000 annually to fund the activities and operations of the Board.
[In House Finance Committee 5/2/2019]
HB3507 Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Includes, in the definition of “underground utility facilities”, wires, ducts, fiber optic cable, conduits, pipes, sewers, and cables and their appurtenances installed underground for information technology infrastructure, equipment, systems, software, networks, and processes used to create, send, receive, and store electronic or digital information, including computer systems, telecommunication services and systems, and future technologies.
[Referred to Public Utilities committee 3/5/2019, re-referred to Rules committee 3/29/2019]
SB1570 Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Specifies that a “Normal notice request” means a request for locates that provides no less than 48 hours, but no more than 14 calendar days, advance notice of a planned excavation or demolition. The request is only valid for 28 calendar days unless an extension is requested. Emergency requests will have a 2 hour wait time unless urgent action can be demonstrated by the operator, and expire in 4 days. Provides notice requirements for damaged, dislocated, and exposed underground utility facilities. Provides additional requirements for record of notice and the marking of underground utility facilities. Modifies Sections concerning liability, financial responsibility, negligence, and penalties for violating the provisions of the Act. Repeals a Section concerning preconstruction conferences. Defines, modifies, and repeals terms. Makes certain provisions apply to home rule municipalities with a population over 1,000,000.
[Third reading deadline 5/10/2019]
HB2178, approved by the Governor on April 11 and effective on April 18, amends the Kansas underground utility damage prevention act; definitions (operator includes electricity service providers); exceptions to duty to mark location of facilities (required marking is restricted for electricity providers by their ownership).
The state’s Fire Marshall is proposing to amend its rules for pipeline safety and one-call notification center to adopt Federal regulations in 49 CFR (Parts 191, 192, 193, 199 and adding 196) in effect as of April 1, 2019. The proposal changes the time limit for reporting incidents to 1 hour; requires operators to provide documents in digital format: O&M, Emergency Plan, Damage Prevention program (to be submitted annually); and operation maps for distribution and transmission systems (to be submitted every 5 years).
In addition, the proposed regulations contain updated definitions and best practices for use in the One Call System, and updates to the composition, qualifications, appointment and retention of the One Call Board of Directors.
[Public hearing 5/13/19]
SB18 was signed by the Governor on 3/7/2019, and becomes effective on 7/1/2019. The new law doubles South Dakota’s maximum civil penalty for some pipeline safety violations to $2 million.
HB1024 (2018, effective 7/1/2019) establishes the Statewide One-Call Notification Board to provide a service through which a person can notify the operators of underground facilities of plans to excavate and to request the marking of the facilities. It requires all operators to become members of the one-call notification center and submit the locations of their underground facilities to the center.
SB 82 has passed in the Senate:
provides if the operator and excavator cannot agree to extend the time and the excavation or demolition activity could impact a pipeline located on or in water, upon written request by the operator, the commissioner of conservation may delay the mark-by time prior to the commencement of any excavation or demolition activity in order to allow for the accurate marking of such pipeline.
provides that the commissioner of conservation may extend the time to complete the excavation or demolition activity if such activity could impact a pipeline located on or in water.
provides that except as provided in present law, no parish, municipal, local, or state governing authority may enact any ordinance or promulgate any rules or regulations which are in conflict with the provisions of present law.
[In House Committee on Commerce on 5/2/2019]
Two rulemakings are in progress:
The Gas And Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety rules (Chapter 20) are being amended [rules submitted to the Governor and the legislature on 3/8/2019 for approval]:
To update references to the CFR and the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act to the most recent version;
To require that pipeline operators notify the Pipeline Safety Dept. of change in ownership within 5 days;
To add a new subchapter “Obligations under the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act Subject to Commission Enforcement” with new permanent rules:
Requiring underground facility operators to provide additional information to excavators (facility material size and type).
Listing requirements for telephonic damage reporting.
Requiring a written report of damages caused by excavation.
Outlining the procedure for filing a complaint against an excavator for failing to comply with the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act.
The Gas Service Utilities rules (Chapter 45) are being amended [adopted 2/8/2019 and transmitted to the Governor and legislature for approval]:
For service installations that require open trenches, utilities must inspect or request inspection within 14 days;
Utilities must provide a notice of change in contact for PUD and CSD issues within 30 days of the change;
Utilities must provide a contact number in local phone directories for emergencies or service deficiencies;
Changes to customer service complaint response times and procedures;
Utilities are required to follow current PHMSA Pipeline Security Contingency Plan Guidance to develop a Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Plan and report any security breaches that may affect customers to PUD Director.
SB1008/HB2097 amends definition for “excavate” includes activities w/in public or private right-of-way; modifies timeline requiring operator to locate and mark underground facilities (from 48 hours after receipt of demolition notice to prior to the date work is scheduled to begin).
[Approved by the Governor 4/24/2019, effective 11/1/2019]
HB 226 would reduce the charge for violations of the Public Utility Regulatory Act or Gas Utility Regulatory Act to Class A misdemeanor from Felony of the Third Degree.
[After a public hearing on 3/11/2019 the bill is being scheduled for a second reading in the House]
Several bills related to gas pipeline safety were introduced on 2/25/2019 and referred to the Energy Resources committee:
HB863/HB 864 would add Pipeline Incident Notification and Reporting requirements for distribution gas pipelines and clarify changes to related administrative penalties; RRC to adopt new rules by 12/31/2019.
HB865 would require perpetual maintenance of records of pipeline incidents by the RRC.
HB866 for gas distribution pipelines: would prohibit installation of cast iron, wrought iron, bare steel pipe; requires operators to replace said pipe with plastic by 12/31/2020.
HB867 / HB868 regarding leaks: would require an operator of a distribution gas pipeline to report leaks to RRC and to publish exact leak locations on their public internet site; RRC to adopt rules by 12/31/2019 // Require a distribution gas pipeline facility operator to mail written notice of a leak not later than 72 hours after the leak is discovered to each customer whose billed property is located less than one-quarter mile from where the leak occurred.
Another set of bill was introduced on 3/12 and 3/18/2019 and referred to the Energy Resources committee:
HB 2882 would allow recovery of damages attributable to excavation activities in a civil action. [on House calendar for a second reading as of 5/6/2019]
HB 3385 would require the RRC to publish maps of pipeline evacuation zones.
HB 3479 would require the RRC to establish rules for cleanliness standards for intrastate distribution gas pipelines that pass through karst topographic areas.
HB 3480 would require operators to disclose the composition of fluids and materials transported in pipelines regulated by RRC.
The following were added to WinDOT:
Department of Conservation – Environmental Protection [14 CCR Subch. 2]
Department of Industrial Relations – § 6533. Pipe Lines, Fittings, and Valves. [8 CCR § 6533]
Department of Conservation – Requirements for Underground Gas Storage Projects [14 CCR §§ 1726-1726.10]
Memorandum of Understanding between the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources
The OSFM’s ongoing rulemaking to develop regulations as required by legislation that was passed after the 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill – AB 864 (2015) – is moving forward. These regulations will become a new Article “Requirements For New Or Replacement Pipeline Near Environmentally and Ecologically Sensitive Areas In The Coastal Zone.”
By January 1, 2020 any new or replacement pipeline near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas in the coastal zone shall use best available technology, including but not limited to, the installation of leak detection technology, automatic shutoff systems, or remote controlled sectionalized block valves, or any combination of these technologies, based on a risk analysis conducted by the operator, to reduce the amount of oil released in an oil spill to protect state waters and wildlife. By July 1, 2020, an operator of an existing pipeline near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas in the coastal zone shall submit a plan to retrofit, by January 1, 2022, existing pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas in the coastal zone with the best available technology including but not limited to, the installation of leak detection technology, automatic shutoff systems, or remote controlled sectionalized block valves, or any combination of these technologies, based on a risk analysis conducted by the operator, to reduce the amount of oil released in an oil spill to protect state waters and wildlife.
The proposed regulatory language:
– Includes definitions to provide added clarity to essential elements, such as: automatic shutoff systems, coastal zone, near, oil, and pipeline
– Describes how operators identify pipelines subject to or exempt from the proposed regulations
– Explains risk analysis submission requirements and considerations
– Provides deadlines and dates for deliverables
– Outlines reporting requirements following spills
– Describes evaluation and documented justification for best available technologies
– Takes into account local environmental features, geography, hydrology, etc.
– Covers spill trajectories and worst case discharges
– Describes processes for confirming acceptable risk analyses
– Outlines testing and training time frames and procedures
Proposed rules were updated on Jan 17, 2019 after multiple workshops in 2017 and 2018. A notice of proposed rulemaking was issued on 2/5/2019. Public hearings were held thru April, with the end of the comment period April 2, 2019.
SB169 his bill would authorize the State Fire Marshal to:
[Passed the Senate and read first time in Assembly 5/13/2019]
[Ordered to Assembly Consent calendar 5/9/2019]
In the 3/25/2019 Register the Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety published its Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission Regulations, which were adopted as emergency rules effective 2/14/2019. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for permanent adoption of these same rules was published in the same Register, with a hearing scheduled on April 16. The hearing could not be held and the NOPR was re-submitted.
The regulations are promulgated to establish rules for the Commission under the Excavation Requirements Act §§ 9-1.5-101, et. seq., C.R.S. The regulations cover general provisions, enforcement of violations and best practices.
SB1073 was signed by the Governor on 3/28/2019 and is effective 7/1/2019. Some underground facility owners are also end user consumers of utility services or commodities. Service laterals are underground facilities located in public rights of way or utility easements. End users do not have operational control of, locational knowledge of, or the expertise or equipment to locate or mark service laterals, despite owning them, because the laterals are in rights of way or utility easements. The new law exempts end users from the requirement to locate and mark service laterals and requires underground facility owners with the ability to locate and mark service laterals to do so.
SB1011 was signed by the Governor on 3/22/2019 and is effective 7/1/2019. The Damage Prevention Board (Board) and stakeholders believe underground facility owners are best situated to report damage to their underground facilities and excavators are best situated to report downtime they suffer due to violations of chapter 22, title 55, Idaho Code. Accordingly, the Board and stakeholders believe only underground facility owners should be required to report damage to underground facilities and only excavators should be required to report excavator downtime. The new law eliminates potential double reporting by requiring only underground facility owners to report damage to underground facilities and only excavators to report excavator downtime. The new law also adds definitions for “hand digging,” “soft digging,” and “locator” to Idaho Code section 55-2202.
The PUC has adopted amendments to its Utility Safety and Accident Reporting Rules to adopt by reference several national safety codes applicable to electric, telephone, and natural gas utilities and federal safety regulations applicable to natural gas and pipeline utilities. Rule 101 adopts the 2017 Edition of the National Electric Safety Code (“NESC”).
[Effective 4/11/2019]
In an expedited rulemaking filed May 1, 2019 the WTUC proposed to amend its rules to make commission rules consistent with current published versions of federal rules and reflect the most current versions of the national safety standards. Comments are due by July 1, 2019.
HB0152, signed by the Governor on 2/26/2019 and effective 7/1/2019, modifies requirements for architectural and engineering plans that call for excavation and requires the notification center to provide location information to persons preparing such plans; requires operators to give notice to the notification center each 14 days for projects that exceed that time; requires (with some exceptions) excavators to mark their proposed excavation boundaries prior to facility marking by operators; requires an excavator to call 911 for contact with or damage to underground facilities; modifies penalties; requires monthly reports from the notification center to the Attorney General of any non-compliance complaints.
Author viadataPosted on May 14, 2019 June 3, 2019 Categories Regulations - State
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