Inspection and maintenance
Plans.—
Each person owning or operating a gas pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility shall carry out a current written plan (including any changes) for inspection and maintenance of each facility used in the transportation and owned or operated by the person. A copy of the plan shall be kept at any office of the person the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate. The Secretary also may require a person owning or operating a pipeline facility subject to this chapter to file a plan for inspection and maintenance for approval.
If the Secretary or a State authority responsible for enforcing standards prescribed under this chapter decides that a plan required under paragraph (1) of this subsection is inadequate for safe operation, the Secretary or authority shall require the person to revise the plan. Revision may be required only after giving notice and an opportunity for a hearing. A plan required under paragraph (1) must be practicable and designed to meet the need for pipeline safety and must include terms designed to enhance the ability to discover safety-related conditions described in section 60102(h)(1) of this title. In deciding on the adequacy of a plan, the Secretary or authority shall consider—
relevant available pipeline safety information;
the appropriateness of the plan for the particular kind of pipeline transportation or facility;
the reasonableness of the plan; and
the extent to which the plan will contribute to public safety and the protection of the environment.
A plan required under this subsection shall be made available to the Secretary or State authority on request under section 60117 of this title.
Inspection and Testing.—
The Secretary shall inspect and require appropriate testing of a pipeline facility subject to this chapter that is not covered by a certification under section 60105 of this title or an agreement under section 60106 of this title. The Secretary shall decide on the frequency and type of inspection and testing under this subsection on a case-by-case basis after considering the following:
the location of the pipeline facility.
the type, size, age, manufacturer, method of construction, and condition of the pipeline facility.
the nature and volume of material transported through the pipeline facility.
the pressure at which that material is transported.
climatic, geologic, and seismic characteristics (including soil characteristics) and conditions of the area in which the pipeline facility is located.
existing and projected population and demographic characteristics of the area in which the pipeline facility is located.
for a hazardous liquid pipeline facility, the proximity of the area in which the facility is located to an area that is unusually sensitive to environmental damage.
the frequency of leaks.
other factors the Secretary decides are relevant to the safety of pipeline facilities.
To the extent and in amounts provided in advance in an appropriation law, the Secretary shall decide on the frequency of inspection under paragraph (1) of this subsection. The Secretary may reduce the frequency of an inspection of a master meter system.
Testing under this subsection shall use the most appropriate technology practicable.
Pipeline Facilities Offshore and in Other Waters.—
In this subsection—
“abandoned” means permanently removed from service.
“pipeline facility” includes an underwater abandoned pipeline facility.
if a pipeline facility has no operator, the most recent operator of the facility is deemed to be the operator of the facility.
Not later than
all offshore pipeline facilities; and
any other pipeline facility crossing under, over, or through waters where a substantial likelihood of commercial navigation exists, if the Secretary decides that the location of the facility in those waters could pose a hazard to navigation or public safety.
In prescribing standards to carry out subparagraph (A) of this paragraph—
the Secretary shall identify what is a hazard to navigation with respect to an underwater abandoned pipeline facility; and
for an underwater pipeline facility abandoned after
The Secretary shall establish by regulation a program requiring an operator of a pipeline facility described in paragraph (2) of this subsection to report a potential or existing navigational hazard involving that pipeline facility to the Secretary through the appropriate Coast Guard office.
The operator of a pipeline facility described in paragraph (2) of this subsection that discovers any part of the pipeline facility that is a hazard to navigation shall mark the location of the hazardous part with a Coast-Guard-approved marine buoy or marker and immediately shall notify the Secretary as provided by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. A marine buoy or marker used under this subparagraph is deemed a pipeline sign or right-of-way marker under section 60123(c) of this title.
The Secretary shall establish a standard that each pipeline facility described in paragraph (2) of this subsection that is a hazard to navigation is buried not later than 6 months after the date the condition of the facility is reported to the Secretary. The Secretary may extend that 6-month period for a reasonable period to ensure compliance with this paragraph.
In prescribing standards for subparagraph (A) of this paragraph for an underwater pipeline facility abandoned after
Not later than
Not later than 6 months after the Secretary establishes standards under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, or
The Secretary may extend the time period specified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph for not more than 6 months if the operator of a facility satisfies the Secretary that the operator has made a good faith effort, with reasonable diligence, but has been unable to comply by the end of that period.
The operator of a pipeline facility abandoned after
Not later than
The Secretary shall request that a State authority having information on a collision between a vessel and an underwater pipeline facility report the information to the Secretary in a timely way and make a reasonable effort to specify the location, date, and severity of the collision. Chapter 35 of title 44 does not apply to this subparagraph.
The Secretary may not exempt from this chapter an offshore hazardous liquid pipeline facility only because the pipeline facility transfers hazardous liquid in an underwater pipeline between a vessel and an onshore facility.
If, after reviewing existing Federal and State regulations for hazardous liquid gathering lines located offshore in the United States, including within the inlets of the Gulf of Mexico, the Secretary determines it is appropriate, the Secretary shall issue regulations, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, subjecting offshore hazardous liquid gathering lines and hazardous liquid gathering lines located within the inlets of the Gulf of Mexico to the same standards and regulations as other hazardous liquid gathering lines. The regulations issued under this paragraph shall not apply to production pipelines or flow lines.
Replacing Cast Iron Gas Pipelines.—
The Secretary shall publish a notice on the availability of industry guidelines, developed by the Gas Piping Technology Committee, for replacing cast iron pipelines. Not later than 2 years after the guidelines become available, the Secretary shall conduct a survey of gas pipeline operators with cast iron pipe in their systems to establish—
the extent to which each operator has adopted a plan for the safe management and replacement of cast iron;
the elements of the plan, including the anticipated rate of replacement; and
the progress that has been made.
Chapter 35 of title 44 does not apply to the conduct of the survey.
This subsection does not prevent the Secretary from developing Government guidelines or standards for cast iron gas pipelines as the Secretary considers appropriate.
Not later than
In General.—
After the completion of a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration pipeline safety inspection, the Administrator of such Administration, or the State authority certified under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code, to conduct such inspection, shall—
within 30 days, conduct a post-inspection briefing with the owner or operator of the gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility inspected outlining any concerns; and
within 90 days, to the extent practicable, provide the owner or operator with written preliminary findings of the inspection.
Source
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e),Notes
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Historical and Revision Notes |
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|---|---|---|
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
60108(a)(1) | 49 App.:1680(a) (1st, 2d sentences). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, § 13(a), 82 Stat. 726; Oct. 11, 1976, Pub. L. 94–477, § 6, 90 Stat. 2075; Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, §§ 104(b), 105(a), 93 Stat. 992, 994; Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–516, § 3(a)(2), 100 Stat. 2966; Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–561, § 108(a)(1), 102 Stat. 2808; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 102(c), 106 Stat. 3291. |
49 App.:2009(a) (1st, 2d sentences). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, § 210(a), 93 Stat. 1011; Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–516, § 3(b)(2), 100 Stat. 2966; Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–561, § 207(c), 102 Stat. 2812. | |
60108(a)(2) | 49 App.:1680(a) (3d–5th, last sentences). | |
49 App.:2009(a) (3d sentence 1st–18th words, last sentence). | ||
49 App.:2009(b). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, § 210(b), 93 Stat. 1012; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 202(c)(1), 106 Stat. 3301. | |
60108(a)(3) | 49 App.:1680(a) (6th sentence). | |
49 App.:2009(a) (3d sentence 19th–last words). | ||
60108(b)(1) | 49 App.:1680(b)(1) (1st sentence), (2). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 13(b); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–561, § 108(a)(2), 102 Stat. 2808. |
49 App.:2009(d)(1) (1st sentence), (2). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, 93 Stat. 989, § 210(d); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–561, § 207(a), 102 Stat. 2811; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 202(c)(2) (related to § 210(d)(2)(D)), 106 Stat. 3301. | |
60108(b)(2) | 49 App.:1680(b)(1) (2d, 3d sentences). | |
49 App.:2009(d)(1) (2d, 3d sentences). | ||
60108(b)(3) | 49 App.:1680(b)(1) (last sentence). | |
49 App.:2009(d)(1) (last sentence). | ||
60108(c)(1) | 49 App.:1672(h)(6)(A), (D). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 3(h)(6); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 117, 106 Stat. 3298. |
49 App.:2002(l)(7)(A), (D). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, 93 Stat. 989, § 203(l)(7); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 216, 106 Stat. 3306. | |
60108(c) (2)(A) | 49 App.:1672(h)(3). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 3(h)(1)–(4); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–599, § 1(a), 104 Stat. 3038; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 108(1)–(4), 106 Stat. 3293. |
49 App.:2002(l)(3). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, 93 Stat. 989, § 203(l)(1)–(4); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–599, § 1(b), 104 Stat. 3039; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 207(1)–(4), 106 Stat. 3302. | |
60108(c) (2)(B) | 49 App.:1672(h)(6) (B)(i), (ii) (related to paragraph (3)). | |
49 App.:2002(l)(7) (B)(i), (ii) (related to paragraph (3)). | ||
60108(c)(3) | 49 App.:1672(h)(1), (2). | |
49 App.:2002(l)(1), (2). | ||
60108(c) (4)(A) | 49 App.:1672(h)(4). | |
49 App.:2002(l)(4). | ||
60108(c) (4)(B) | 49 App.:1672(h) (6)(B)(ii) (related to paragraph (4)). | |
49 App.:2002(l) (7)(B)(ii) (related to paragraph (4)). | ||
60108(c)(5) | 49 App.:1672(h)(5). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 3(h)(5); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 108(5), 106 Stat. 3294. |
49 App.:2002(l)(6). | Nov. 30, 1979, Pub. L. 96–129, 93 Stat. 989, § 203(l)(5), (6); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 207(5), 106 Stat. 3302. | |
60108(c)(6) | 49 App.:1672(h)(6)(C). | |
49 App.:2002(l)(7)(C). | ||
60108(c)(7) | 49 App.:2002(l)(5). | |
60108(d) | 49 App.:1680(c). | Aug. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–481, 82 Stat. 720, § 13(c); added Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 107, 106 Stat. 3293. |
References in Text
Amendments
Transfer of Functions
Information-Sharing System
In General.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Membership.—
The working group convened pursuant to subsection (a) shall include representatives from—
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;
industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology, coating, and cathodic protection vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations;
safety advocacy groups;
research institutions;
State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight;
State pipeline safety inspectors;
labor representatives; and
other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Considerations.—
The working group convened pursuant to subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations to the Secretary on—
the need for, and the identification of, a system to ensure that dig verification data are shared with in-line inspection operators to the extent consistent with the need to maintain proprietary and security-sensitive data in a confidential manner to improve pipeline safety and inspection technology;
ways to encourage the exchange of pipeline inspection information and the development of advanced pipeline inspection technologies and enhanced risk analysis;
opportunities to share data, including dig verification data between operators of pipeline facilities and in-line inspector vendors to expand knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of in-line inspection technology and methodologies;
options to create a secure system that protects proprietary data while encouraging the exchange of pipeline inspection information and the development of advanced pipeline inspection technologies and enhanced risk analysis;
means and best practices for the protection of safety- and security-sensitive information and proprietary information; and
regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to sharing the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
Publication.—
The Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available Web site of the Department of Transportation.”
Nationwide Integrated Pipeline Safety Regulatory Database
Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [
Contents.—
The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include—
a description of any efforts underway to test a secure information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection (a);
a description of any progress in establishing common standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting pipeline safety regulatory inspection data, and a methodology for sharing the data;
a description of any inadequacies or gaps in State and Federal inspection, enforcement, geospatial, or other pipeline safety regulatory inspection data;
a description of the potential safety benefits of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database; and
recommendations, including those of stakeholders for how to implement a secure information-sharing system that protects proprietary and security sensitive information and data for the purpose described in subsection (a).
Consultation.—
In implementing this section, the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including each State authority operating under a certification to regulate intrastate pipelines under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code.
Establishment of Database.—
The Secretary may establish, if appropriate, a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory database—
after submission of the report required under subsection (a); or
upon notification to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the need to establish such database prior to the submission of the report under subsection (a).”
Report on Natural Gas Leak Reporting
In General.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Elements.—
The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:
An examination of different reporting requirements or standards for lost and unaccounted for natural gas to different agencies, the reasons for any such discrepancies, and recommendations for harmonizing and improving the accuracy of reporting.
An analysis of whether separate or alternative reporting could better measure the amounts and identify the location of lost and unaccounted for natural gas from natural gas distribution systems.
A description of potential safety issues associated with natural gas that is lost and unaccounted for from natural gas distribution systems.
An assessment of whether alternate reporting and measures will resolve any safety issues identified under paragraph (3), including an analysis of the potential impact, including potential savings, on rate payers and end users of natural gas products of such reporting and measures.
Consideration of Recommendations.—
If the Administrator determines that alternate reporting structures or recommendations included in the report required under subsection (a) would significantly improve the reporting and measurement of lost and unaccounted for gas and safety of natural gas distribution systems, the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after making such determination, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations.”
Review of State Policies Relating to Natural Gas Leaks
Review.—
The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall conduct a State-by-State review of State-level policies that—
encourage the repair and replacement of leaking natural gas distribution pipelines or systems that pose a safety threat, such as timelines to repair leaks and limits on cost recovery from ratepayers; and
may create barriers for entities to conduct work to repair and replace leaking natural gas pipelines or distribution systems.
Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Implementation of Recommendations.—
If the Administrator determines that the recommendations made under subsection (b) would significantly improve pipeline safety, the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after making such determination, and in coordination with the heads of other relevant agencies as appropriate, issue regulations, as the Administrator determines appropriate, to implement the recommendations.”
Leak Detection
Leak Detection Report.—
In general.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [
Contents.—
The report shall include—
an analysis of the technical limitations of current leak detection systems, including the ability of the systems to detect ruptures and small leaks that are ongoing or intermittent, and what can be done to foster development of better technologies; and
an analysis of the practicability of establishing technically, operationally, and economically feasible standards for the capability of such systems to detect leaks, and the safety benefits and adverse consequences of requiring operators to use leak detection systems.
Rulemaking Requirements.—
Review period defined.—
In this subsection, the term ‘review period’ means the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [
the date that is 1 year after the date of completion of the report under subsection (a); or
the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Congressional authority.—
In order to provide Congress the necessary time to review the results of the report required by subsection (a) and implement appropriate recommendations, the Secretary, during the review period, shall not issue final regulations described in paragraph (3).
Standards.—
As soon as practicable following the review period, if the report required by subsection (a) finds that it is practicable to establish technically, operationally, and economically feasible standards for the capability of leak detection systems to detect leaks, the Secretary shall issue final regulations that—
require operators of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to use leak detection systems where practicable; and
establish technically, operationally, and economically feasible standards for the capability of such systems to detect leaks.
Savings clause.—
In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary, during the review period, may issue final regulations described in paragraph (3) if the Secretary determines that a condition that poses a risk to public safety, property, or the environment is present or an imminent hazard exists and that the regulations will address the risk or hazard.
Imminent hazard defined.—
In subparagraph (A), the term ‘imminent hazard’ means the existence of a condition related to pipelines or pipeline operations that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal injury, or substantial endangerment to health, property, or the environment may occur.”