Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (GPAC)

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will have a Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), meeting from November 27 to December 1, 2023.

PHMSA is preparing the GPAC meeting to discuss the proposed rules (NPRMs) titled: "Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair," and "Class Location Change Requirements."

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Meeting Agenda

The GPAC will meet from November 27 to December 1, 2023, to discuss the (NPRMs) titled: "Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair" that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2023, (88 FR 31890), and the "Class Location Change Requirements" that PHMSA published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2020, (85 FR 65142). Comments that have been submitted on the Leak Detection NPRM can be found on https://regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA�2021�0039. Also, comments that have been submitted on the Class Location NPRM can be found on https://regulations.gov in Docket No. PHMSA�2017�00151. The GPAC will review the NPRMS and their associated regulatory analyses (including, but not limited to, the cost-benefit and risk assessment analyses within the NPRMs and the regulatory impact analyses; the environmental assessments; and other materials pertaining to the NPRMs provided in the public dockets under PHMSA�2021�0039 for Leak Detection and PHMSA�2017�0151 for Class Location. PHMSA will post additional details on the meeting website in advance of the meeting.

In the Leak Detection NPRM, PHMSA proposes to make regulatory amendments that implement congressional mandates in the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 to reduce methane emissions from new and existing gas transmission pipelines, distribution pipelines, regulated (Types A, B, C and offshore) gas gathering pipelines, underground natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities. Among the proposed amendments for Part 192-regulated gas pipelines are strengthened leakage survey and patrolling requirements; performance standards for advanced leak detection programs; leak grading and repair criteria with mandatory repair timelines; requirements for mitigation of emissions from blowdowns; pressure relief device design, configuration, and maintenance requirements; and clarified requirements for investigating failures. Finally, the NPRM proposes to expand reporting requirements for operators of all gas pipeline facilities within DOT's jurisdiction, including underground natural gas storage facilities and liquefied natural gas facilities. PHMSA requested public comments with a submission deadline of August 16, 2023. PHMSA received over 35,000 comments on the NPRM.

In the Class Location NPRM, PHMSA proposes to revise the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to amend the requirements for gas transmission pipeline segments that experience a change in class location. Under the existing regulations, pipeline segments located in areas where the population density has significantly increased must perform one of the following actions: Reduce the pressure of the pipeline segment, pressure test the pipeline segment to higher standards, or replace the pipeline segment. This proposed rule would add an alternative set of requirements operators could use, based on implementing integrity management principles and pipe eligibility criteria, to manage certain pipeline segments where the class location has changed from a Class 1 location to a Class 3 location. Through required periodic assessments, repair criteria, and other extra preventive and mitigative measures, PHMSA expects this alternative approach would provide long-term safety benefits consistent with the current natural gas pipeline safety rules while also providing cost savings for pipeline operators. PHMSA requested public comments with a submission deadline of December 14, 2020. PHMSA received 14 comments on the NPRM.

Following the meeting, PHMSA will publish final rules that address the comments received and relevant information from the GPAC meeting report.

II. Background

The GPAC is a statutorily mandated advisory committee that provides PHMSA and the Secretary of Transportation with recommendations on proposed standards for the transportation of regulated gas by pipeline. The committee was established in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 60115 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), to review PHMSA's regulatory initiatives and determine their technical feasibility, reasonableness, cost-effectiveness, and practicability. The committee consists of 15 members, with membership evenly divided among federal and state governments, regulated industry, and the general public.

III. Public Participation

The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public who wish to attend must register on the meeting website and include their names and affiliations. PHMSA will provide members of the public with opportunities to make a statement during this meeting. Additionally, PHMSA will record the meeting and post a record to the public docket. PHMSA is committed to providing all participants with equal access to this meeting. If you need an accommodation because of a disability, please contact Tewabe Asebe by phone at 202-366-5523 or by email at tewabe.asebe @ dot.gov.

PHMSA is not always able to publish a notice in the Federal Register quickly enough to provide timely notice regarding last-minute issues that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting. Therefore, individuals should check the meeting website or contact Tewabe Asebe regarding any possible changes.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

PHMSA received your comments, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard that is labeled "Comments on PHMSA-2023-0061." The docket clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via the U.S. mail.

Note: All comments received will be posted without edits to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading for more information. Anyone can use the site to search all comments by the name of the submitting individual or, if the comment was submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc., the name of the signing individual. Therefore, please review the complete U.S. Department of Transportation Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register (65 FR 19477) or the Privacy Notice at https://www.regulations.gov before submitting comments.

Privacy Act Statement

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. The DOT posts these comments without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://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 (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments in response 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 provide 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 a copy of the original document with the CBI deleted along with the original, unaltered document; 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 Freedom of Information Act and they will not be placed in the public docket of this notice. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Tewabe Asebe, DOT, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, PHP-30, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. Any commentary PHMSA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket.

Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. Alternatively, this information is available by visiting DOT at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building: Room W12-140, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

Links to Dockets