[Federal Register: September 12, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 178)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52938-52939]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se08-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 192
[Docket ID PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854]
RIN 2137-AE15
Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program for Gas
Distribution Pipelines
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: PHMSA is extending the period for public comment to give
interested persons an additional 30 days to comment on a proposed rule
to amend the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to require operators
of gas distribution pipelines to develop and implement integrity
management (IM) programs.
DATES: Anyone interested in filing written comments on the rule
proposed in this document must do so by October 23, 2008. PHMSA will
consider late filed comments so far as practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854
and may be submitted in the following ways:
E-Gov Web Site: http://www.regulations.gov. This site
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice
issued by any agency.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: DOT Docket Operations Facility (M-30), U.S.
Department of Transportation, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: DOT Docket Operations Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, West Building, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions: In the E-Gov Web site: http://www.regulations.gov,
access the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by typing ``PHMSA-RSPA-2004-
19854-0079'' under ``Search Documents'' and clicking ``Go.'' Submit
your comment by clicking the yellow bubble or ``Send a Comment or
Submission'' then following the instructions.
Identify docket number PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854 at the beginning of
your comments. For comments by mail, please provide two copies. To
receive PHMSA's confirmation receipt, include a self-addressed stamped
postcard. Internet users may access all comments at http://
www.regulations.gov, by searching for the docket number.
Note: PHMSA will post all comments without changes or edits to
http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information
provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Israni at (202) 366-4571 or by e-
mail at mike.israni@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA is extending, by 30 days, the comment
period on the proposed rulemaking published on June 25, 2008 (73 FR
36015) in response to a petition from American Gas Association (AGA)
and an informal request from National Association of Pipeline Safety
Representatives (NAPSR). AGA requested this extension in order to allow
for more time for interested persons to evaluate the proposed
rulemaking and submit comments. AGA views the proposed rule as the most
extensive rulemaking for gas utilities since the code was codified in
the 1970s. AGA notes that there are more than 1,200 natural gas
utilities--providing service to more than 70 million Americans--that
will be affected by the proposed rulemaking. AGA further notes critical
issues that need to be addressed that were not discussed in the
Distribution Integrity Management Phase 1 Report which was used to
develop the proposed rule. In addition, AGA estimates that the proposed
rule's establishment of a plastic pipe database could result in the
elimination of the Plastic Pipe Database Committee (PPDC) and the
16,000 data points that have been established over the last eight
years. AGA notes that PPDC's scheduled semi-annual meeting on August
26-27, 2008, does not afford PPDC the proper time for their members to
discuss the potential impact on their organization, review with their
constituents, and submit relevant comments to the docket prior to the
September 23, 2008 comment deadline. PHMSA is granting a 30-day comment
period extension in an effort to allow for the potentially impacted
entities to submit comments and ensure that AGA's concerns are
addressed.
Background information on the proposed rule may be found on-line at
the following URLs: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/imp and http://
primis.phmsa.dot.gov/dimp/.
[[Page 52939]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 8, 2008.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. E8-21283 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P