The Source - Fall 2008 - (Page 30)

Q&A Straight from the source The Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Integrity Management rules have been in eﬀect for several years now. How does the Department of Transportation (DOT) view the success of these programs? The integrity management programs for pipelines have enabled operators, DOT, and our state partners to make better use of information to reduce risk, improve our ability to enhance safety, and offer the public real results about how we are improving the safety of pipelines. The program has resulted in the early identification and repair of defects to make our pipeline transportation system far safer than before. In the period of time since we began this program, we have seen a steady decline in serious incidents. In 2007, 458 incidents were reported on hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines, compared to an average of 523 per year over the period from 2002 to 2006. The data show that we are having a positive impact to improve safety. The industry has been anticipating the Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) rule since the Phase 1 report was issued in 2005. Why the delay in getting it out? The Department has dealt with some very highprofile incidents and safety issues since the release of the Distribution Integrity Management report. Each took a considerable amount of resources and attention. We are making progress and published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June. We intend to analyze public comments and prepare a final rule in an expeditious manner. With excavation damage as the leading cause of distribution incidents, what is the Department doing to reduce excavation damage as part of the DIMP rule or by other means? The Department is continuing work with the Common Ground Alliance and all underground stakeholders to find more ways to protect pipelines and other facilities. This past year, we began our Excavation Damage Prevention Initiative, an effort to help states fully implement a nine-point damage prevention program as included in the PIPES Act. We also have invested heavily in new technologies to improve excavation locating and communications for a more accurate and faster one-call notification system and a safer workplace for excavators. And we continue to help educate the public on the importance of calling 811 to help prevent damage to pipelines during excavation. Pipeline operators believe use of this number is effective in preventing damage to their facilities, and many are voluntarily adding this number to their permanent pipeline markers. What is the Department doing to ensure that the DIMP rule doesn’t overly burden small distribution systems? The requirements for distribution integrity management programs are being drafted to allow for maximum flexibility for all operators, and particularly those with small distribution systems. The rule will tell operators what they need to know, but not how to do it. This will allow all operators affected by the rule to develop integrity programs that fit their particular circumstances. We will also consider any public comments we receive on the notice of proposed rulemaking with ideas to mitigate unnecessary burden on small distribution operators. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) also is supporting the American Public Gas Association’s (APGA) Security and Integrity Foundation in its development of a computer-based program for small operators to use in developing integrity management programs consistent with the rule. In addition, PHMSA and its state partners have participated in the Gas Pipeline Technology Committee’s efforts to develop guidance that will assist operators in implementing programs to meet the rule. What is the Department doing to ensure consistency between the various state programs that enforce pipeline safety regulations on distribution operators? The Department provides extensive training for state pipeline safety inspectors to help assure a common understanding of federal pipeline safety regulations and what is necessary for compliance. PHMSA reviews state programs annually and recently expanded the corps of State Program Evaluators to allow for more regular contact with our state partners. For integrity management programs for distribution operators, PHMSA has established a federal-state coordinating committee to oversee We posed 10 key questions to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters. Find out what she had to say about DIMP rules, pipeline safety, and more. 30 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS 

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Fall 2008

The Source - Fall 2008 Contents First Person APGA Awards APGA Events Overview Up Next in THE SOURCE Grassroots Connections Climate Change Legislation Market Transparency: An Insider's View Legislative Outlook The Pipeline Marketing Matters Advertisers' Index At Last

The Source - Fall 2008

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