WELCOME

The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives ("NAPSR or Association") is a non-profit organization of state pipeline safety personnel who serve to promote pipeline safety in the United States and its territories. The Association supports the safe delivery of pipeline products by working closely with USDOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ("PHMSA"), the industry and other interested organizations. NAPSR's Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization and is responsible for NAPSR policy. It includes: a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer, the Immediate-Past Chairperson and the chairperson and vice-chairperson of each of NAPSR's five regions. NAPSR also has an Administrative Manager who assists the National Chairperson and is responsible for education and liaison with outside organizations, advising the Board on matters affecting the Association's mission, assisting in implementing the objectives of NAPSR and routine administration. For contact information please click on "Board of Directors" on this page.

Regional Breakdown of National Pipeline Safety Representatives

NAPSR Annual Regional and National Meeting Schedule for 2010

 

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

 

NAPSR Annual Meetings Completed

With the National meeting completed on September 18, the incoming Board of Directors will be providing guidance to NAPSR starting on October 1. Click on the Board of Directors button after that date to see who is on the Board. A new partial schedule of meetings for 2010 has been posted under the NAPSR Annual Regional and National Meeting Schedule link. During the 2008-2009 term, we have seen a number of State program managers move to other career pursuits, be they new jobs, consulting, or retirement. Ed Steele,OH, Annmarie Robertson, IN, Gary Farmer, ME, Phil Sher, CT, and Bruno Carrara, NM will be missed for their expertise, knowledge and above all, their willingness to get involved and to contribute for the good of the Association and pipeline safety. We wish them success and personal satisfaction in their future endeavors.

 

NAPSR Welcomes New Program Managers

NAPSR Chair Michael Thompson sent welcome letters to Peter Chace of Ohio and Gary Kenny of Maine, who recently became pipeline safety program managers in thri respective states. Peder Hansen, who became the Program Manager for the Delaware agency as of October 13, 2009, also received a welcome letter. At the same time, we bid farewell to program manager Anne Soiza of the Washington State agency, who on November 9 will start work as a Deputy for the State's Occupational Safety & Health agency.

 

PHMSA Interviewing State Agencies to Characterize State Damage Prevention Programs

PHMSA has developed what it calls a State Damage Prevention Program (SDPP) Characterization Tool as an aid to assessing a state's damage prevention efforts. The questionnaire and associated scoring of the responses mimics a "ratings chart" approach often used for comparing products or services. The SDPP Tool contains questions on the nine elements specified in the PIPES Act of 2006. These cover all aspects of damage prevention -- not just actions by the state's pipeline safety agency. Annmarie Roberston is the project's leader and has conducted 20 trial interviews with state pipeline agencies and one-call centers. NAPSR is involved in providing comments on the questionnaire. It is conceivable that the results produced by the SDPP Tool could be used to assist PHMSA in determining the level of relative adequacy of state damage prevention programs. The least adequate ones could be the target of federal enforcement efforts (see first item under the HEADS UP heading on this page).

 

NAPSR Gathering Line Task Group Reconstituted

In response to the call from NAPSR members for greater clarity in the jurisdiction of state pipeline safety program offices over gas and liquid gathering lines, NAPSR Chair Michael Thompson, in consultation with the NAPSR Board of Directors reconstituted the formerly inactive Gathering Line Task group. The members of this group are David Piroutek, WY, Clint Stephens, AR, Dana Arabie, LA, Leo Haynos, KS, and Paul Metro, PA, with alternates Mary McDaniel, TX and Bob Gorham, CASFM. With former "architect" of the gathering line rule DeWitt Burdeaux re-joining the PHMSA Training and Qualification Programs office, the group was given a kick-start at the NAPSR National meeting in Indianapolis in mid-September.

 

PHMSA Publishes One-Rule Proposal

On July 2, 2009, PHMSA published in the Federal Register (FR 74, 31675) a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for what it has been calling the “One-Rule” – revisions in the pipeline safety code to address improvements in data collection. You can find the objectives for this rule stated on the first and second pages of the NPRM (31675-31676) of the FR publication. Perhaps not clear in this publication is the fact that concurrently, PHMSA posted a number of revised data collection forms on its website at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=PHMSA-2008-0291 .  NAPSR filed comments with PHMSA on this proposal. These can be viewed by accessing the above website and looking for document number PHMSA-2008-0291-0034 . For information, please contact Michael Thompson at 503-378-6760, or George Mosinskis at 703-504-8778.

 

PHMSA Publishes Miscellaneous Amendments to The Pipeline Safety Code

On July 28, 2009 NAPSR member attention was called by Michael Thompson to the NPRM published in the July 22, 2009 Federal Register. A brief review of this NPRM indicates that there are a few changes that may be of interest to NAPSR members, who were urged to review this proposal and send their comments to Bob Gorham and George Mosinskis. The NAPSR Liaison Committee will undertook the preparation of NAPSR comments on this NPRM, which were filed on the PHMSA docket on September 21, 2009. They can be viewed on the PHMSA website at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=PHMSA-2008-0301as document number PHMSA-2008-0301-0013. For information, please contact Michael Thompson at 503-378-6760, or George Mosinskis at 703-504-8778.

 

PHMSA Requests Comments on Revised Incident Forms

On August 17, 2009, PHMSA published a Request for Comments and OMB form Approval Notice in the Federal Register presenting the gas and hazardous liquids pipeline incident reporting forms and instructions revised in response to previously received comments. NAPSR filed comments to the PHMSA docket on August 16, 2009, as a follow-up to detailed comments previously filed on September 16, 2008.They can be viewed on the PHMSA website at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=PHMSA-2008-0211 as document number PHMSA-2008-02111-0044.1 . For information, please contact Michael Thompson at 503-378-6760, or George Mosinskis at 703-504-8778.

 

PHMSA Analyzing Gaps Between Gas and Liquids Regulations

Working with a stakeholder group, Mike Israni at PHMSA is analyzing the gaps between Parts 192 and 195 in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and to seek alignment between the two parts, where possible. The goal is to arrive at findings by March of 2010. Phil Sadler of the VA State Corporation Commission, Division of Utility and Railroad Safety was named as the NAPSR representative to this group and attended the kick-off meeting on July 14-15 in Arlington, VA.

 

PHMSA Begins Added Deliberations on Excess Flow Valves

The team of stakeholders will provide input to PHMSA related to a NTSB recommendation (P-01-2) on expanding the use of EFVs beyond the single-family residence and 10 psig limits currently contained within 49CFR Part 192, to be included in a future rulemaking amending the pertinent sections of the code.  Stakeholder groups from government and industry have been selected to provide their perspective, knowledge and expertise concerning this issue.  Two one-day meetings supplemented with conference calls are envisioned. The kick-off meeting for this effort was held on June 23, 2009 in Crystal City, VA. Three NAPSR nominees participated in this group. A summary report was sent to NAPSR members. For more information, contact George Mosinskis at 703-504-8778.

 

 

PHMSA Successfully Conducts R&D Forum

A meeting to plan PHMSA-sponsored research and development (R&D) activities was held on June 24-25 in Crystal city, VA, across the river from Washington, D.C. About 220 people attended the forum. Four members of NAPSR had been named to participate in this forum: Dana Arabie, LA; Tom Stemrich, WI, Jeff Baggett, GA; and Ralph Graeser, PA. A summary report was distributed to the NAPSR members. With support from PHMSA, the NAPSR Board has also recommended that a NAPSR R&D Task group be formed with up to 5 NAPSR members. The members selected by the NAPSR National Chair are: Tom Stemrich, WI as chair of this group, Gavin Nicoletta, NY, Judy Ramsey, AL, Alan Borne, AZ, and Ralph Graeser, PA as alternate. For information, please contact Tom at 608-266-2800, e-mail: thomas.stemrich@psc.state.wi.us .

 

PHMSA Video Presentations on Construction Workshop Available for Viewing

FYI, PHMSA/OPS has posted archived videos of the New Pipeline Construction Workshop that was held on April 23, 2009 at http://clients.onlinevideoservice.com/ops/.  In addition, copies of several of the presentations can be viewed in the public docket at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=PHMSA-2009-0060 .

 

 

PHMSA Exploring Approaches to IMP Inspections of Pipelines Inside Casings
A government-industry stakeholder group is holding meetings to address inspection of gas transmission pipeline casings. The stakeholder group is exploring what would or would not be acceptable for satisfying the requirements of the IMP portion of the Federal pipeline safety code as adopted by a State.  David Chislea, MI and Harry Bryant, NC have been named to represent NAPSR on this group.  The Casing Inspection Task Group has been renamed CASQAT. Information on this group's efforts is posted at the following website http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/ccCASQAT.htm . Their last meeting was held was held on April 27-28 in Houston, TX. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled but is expected in the October-November '09 time frame.

 

PHMSA Incorporates By Reference API Standards 5L and 1104
On April 14, 2009 PHMSA published in the Federal Register a Direct Final Rule incorporating by reference the most recent editions of API Specification 5L “Specification for Line Pipe” and API 1104 “Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities.”  The purpose of this action was to enable pipeline operators to utilize current technology, materials, and practices to help maintain a high level of safety relative to their pipeline operations.  The effective date of this rule is April 14, 2009, unless significant adverse comments are received before June 15, 2009. PHMSA is not eliminating the use of the current referenced standards but simply allowing the additional use of these new standards.  PHMSA may in the future propose to eliminate the incorporation of the existing referenced standards. This action also lifts the stay of enforcement previously in effect, which had allowed the optional use of these standards despite them not being referenced in the pipeline safety code.

 

PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Miscellaneous Amendments to the Pipeline Safety Code

In a Federal Register Notice on January 16, 2009, PHMSA establishes the procedures it will follow for issuing safety orders and handling requests for special permits, including emergency special permits. The final rule to become effective on February 17, also notifies operators about electronic docket information availability; updated addresses, telephone numbers, and routing symbols; and clarifies the time period for processing requests for written interpretations of the regulations.

 

PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Use of PA-11 Pipe
On December 24, 2008, PHMSA issued a Final Rule allowing operators the option to use PA-11 pipe of 4 inches or less in diameter as an option for gas pressures up to 200 psig.  An e-mail message was sent on December 24 to NAPSR-All by George Mosinskis, advising about amendments made by PHMSA to sections 192.121 and 192.123 of the pipeline safety code.

 

DOT Advisory Committees on Pipeline Safety Briefed on Recent Rule Proposals and Plans
The two committees had a conference call-meeting at the beginning of August 2009 to discuss the One-Rule; periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards, Low Stress II--Survey Results;  installing Excess Flow Valves (EFV)--(for apartments and commercial properties); the Community Technical Assistance Grant Program; and were given an update on activities of the Pipeline Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA). The Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (TPSSC) and the Technical and Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) last met in person in the Washington, D.C. area on December 11 and 12. The agenda included consideration and approval of the DIMP rule and the Control Room Management rule proposals with certain modifications. Please refer to a 12/23/08 e-mail by George Mosinskis to NAPSR-All for the meeting highlights (available to NAPSR members only).  The PHMSA advisory committees consist of industry, government and public representatives that advise PHMSA on the technical feasibility, reasonableness, cost-effectiveness and practicability of PHMSA's rules. They also evaluate cost-benefit analyses and other information on each proposal. Don Stursma, IA is a State member on the TPSSC and Massoud Tahamtani, VA is a State member on the THLPSSC. Commissioners Lisa Edgar, FLPSC and Lula Ford, IL are also members of these advisory committees.

 

PHMSA Publishes Control Room Management Rule Proposal
On September 12, 2008, PHMSA issued for comment a Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Control Room Management and Human Factors. Comments on this rule were due on or before November 12, 2008. NAPSR filed comments with PHMSA.  To see the comments, you can access the DOT docket at www.regulations.gov , docket number PHMSA-2007-27954, on webpage #20, or contact George Mosinskis at 703-504-8778 for further information.

 

PHMSA Publishes DIMP Rule Proposal
On June 25, 2008, PHMSA issued for comment a Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Distribution Integrity Management Program requirements. Comments on this rule were due on or before October 23, 2008.  In a written e-mail message to the NAPSR program managers, National Chairman Ron Law stated that: "This is one of the most important rulemakings we've had in a long time, that will significantly affect the operators in your State and that will define what you will have to do to verify compliance in the future. Accordingly, I urge you to give this document your full attention as soon as you can." NAPSR submitted comments to the docket (number PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854). If you need added information, please contact George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net; phone 703-504-8878.

 

 

PHMSA Held Anomaly Assessment Workshop
The workshop was held on October 22, 2008 at the Gaylord Harbor Resort, in Maryland.  NAPSR members with questions are urged to contact their Region representative that attended this workshop: William Boyd/IN (Central); e-mail: wboyd@urc.in.gov; phone: 317-232-2718; Hans Mertens/VT (Eastern) e-mail: hans.mertens@state.vt.us; phone: 802-828-4007; Steve Pott/CO (Western) e-mail: steve.pott@dora.state.co.us; phone: 303-894-2851; Dana Arabie/LA (Southwest) e-mail: arabie@cajun.net; phone: 985-537-9126; and John McCarter/GA (Southern) e-mail: johnm@psc.state.ga.us; phone: 404-463-6526.

 

PHMSA Issues Advisory Bulletin on Mechanical Couplings

On March 4, 2008, PHMSA issued a notice containing advisory bulletin ADB-08-02 about failures of mechanical couplings and related appurtenances that have raised concerns about safety in natural gas distribution systems. The notice updates information provided in Advisory Bulletin ADB-86-02 and advises owners and operators of gas pipelines to consider the potential failure modes for mechanical couplings used for joining and pressure-sealing two pipes together. Failures can occur when there is inadequate restraint for the potential stresses on the two pipes, when the couplings are incorrectly installed or supported, or when the coupling components such as elastomers degrade over time. In addition, PHMSA warns that leak surveys which fail to identify leaks requiring immediate repair can lead to more serious incidents.  The present bulletin urges operators to review their procedures for using mechanical couplings and ensure coupling design, installation procedures, leak survey procedures, and personnel qualifications meet Federal requirements. Operators should work with Federal and State pipeline safety representatives, manufacturers, and industry partners to determine how best to resolve potential issues in their respective state or region. According to PHMSA, documented repair or replacement programs may prove beneficial to all stakeholders involved. In related action, the Texas Railroad Commission recently published a study report on Compression Type Couplings. This has been distributed to all of the NAPSR members via a February 28, 2008 e-mail message. For copies, contact George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net , or click on the link in blue text above.

 

 

Surveys Sent to NAPSR Members

Added surveys are being conducted in 2009 to further gather collective knowledge at NAPSR. It is being pursued as part of the NAPSR Knowing Our Association initiative. NAPSR member cooperation in responding to these surveys is highly appreciated. The NAPSR leadership knows it takes time to respond to some of these surveys. That is why the questions are typically designed with the aid of experts and/or the NAPSR Liaison Committee. Of two recent surveys, one covered refresher training desired by NAPSR members and the other was aimed at assessing the extent of work furloughs in the states. These survey results are available to PHMSA and NAPSR members only. Please contact Michael Thompson at michael.thompson@state.or.us for questions about the Know Our Association initiative.

 

ASME Committee to Update Operator Qualification Standard

The Technical Committee for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31Q Pipeline Operator Qualification Standard had another meeting in November of 2008. A report was recently prepared by David Lykken, WA and sent by George Mosinskis on 12/23/08 to all NAPSR members. The ongoing work of the committee, which is now chaired by Jerry Schmitz of Southwest Gas Corporation in Las Vegas, NV, is to resolve any issues left over from the original publication of the Standard. This includes new construction and portability of qualifications. Additionally, the Committee will address new issues as they come forward. The standing Committee has been divided into three sub-teams responsible for technical issues, which may include: adding new covered tasks; as appropriate or updating portions of the Standard which are out of date; non-technical issues, which may include editorial changes to the Standard; and administrative, which will act as a "clearing house" for items that come before the Committee.

 

 

HEADS UP:

 

PMHSA Publishes Advance Notice on Federal Enforcement of One-Call Laws

In a Federal Register notice published on October 29, PHMSA outlines proposed provisions to verify if a state has an "inadequate" damage prevention program. This was mandated by the PIPES Act of 2006. The proposal includes steps outlined by PHMSA in the event it has to enforce damage prevention laws against violators in a state with an inadequate program. This could cover not only jurisdictional pipeline system operators but all excavators in the state. Comments are due to the PHMSA docket on December 14, 2009. NAPSR will be filing comments, which will be prepared by the Liaison Committee working together with the Grant allocation Committee. For more details, NAPSR program managers are urged to read Michael Thompson's e-mail message of October 30, or contact George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net.

 

PHMSA Announces the Next Round of State Damage Prevention Grants

PHMSA has awarded grants for calendar year 2009. This year, instead of grants.gov, the applicants were able to use a "wizard" on FedSTAR to apply for the grants. This should make the process much less burdensome.  The Damage Prevention Assistance Program (DPAP) document is available as guidance for those agencies that apply for the State Damage Prevention grant by PHMSA. The 2010 PHMSA State Damage Prevention grant application solicitation has been posted on Grants.gov. The solicitation is scheduled to close August 31, 2009. The solicitation can be found at: http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. Enter 20.720 for the CFDA number. For questions, contact Annmarie Robertson at PHMSA, at annmarie.robertson@dot.gov, phone: 317-253-1622.

 

PHMSA to Demo Database Access Portal to States

NAPSR Data Team members are involved in developing the specifics of the NAPSR requirements and in testing the portal. Two Microsoft Live Meetings were held earlier this year to demonstrate the databases available to the states through the access portal. PHMSA is looking for feedback from NAPSR. PHMSA also intends to hold a Data Summit in the near future to address stakeholder concerns about data. For information, to provide feedback or to try the web portal, contact Data Team Chair Mary McDaniel at 512-463-7166; email: mary.mcdaniel@rrc.state.tx.us.

 

Distribution Construction Workshop Postponed

PHMSA has decided to postpone the construction workshop till the first quarter of 2009. Once NAPSR develops its initial calendar for 2010, a date will be selected with PHMSA in a way that does not conflict with other important meetings.

 

 

Job Openings in Pipeline Safety

 

VA Division of Utility & Railroad Safety, State Corporation Commission Announces Three Job Openings

MN Office of Pipeline Safety Announces Three Job Openings

WA Utilities and Transportation Commission Seeks Director of Pipeline Safety

Click on Job Openings in Pipeline Safety, above, to view the announcements.

 

 

MAJOR PROGRAMS

 

Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP)
Rulemaking status: Following a favorable finding by the DOT technical advisory committee (TPSSC) in December of 2008, the final rule is being prepared by PHMSA and should be issued in late November of 2009. For further information or updates, please contact George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net .

The NAPSR DIMP Implementation Task Group has been working on an implementation form. The next meeting of this group will be scheduled after the final DIMP rule comes out.

After the final rule is issued by PHMSA, a guidance document will be available from the Gas Piping Technology Committee. In the meantime, PHMSA has posted their guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions at:http://www.cycla.com/opsiswc/wc.dll?webmain~subsystemhome~&sub=22 .

For updates on this, please contact Massoud Tahamtani at 804-371-9264.

PHMSA has also posted guidance it prepared for small operators on its docket PHMSA-RSPA-2004-19854. The APGA/SIF-sponsored SHRIMP task group has nearly finished developing guidance for small operators. It was made available for review at the start of the second quarter of 2009. For updates on this activity please contact NAPSR SHRIMP Task Group chair Michael Thompson at Michael.thompson@state.or.us , phone 503-378-6760.

 

Control Room Management/Human Factors
Rulemaking status: A final rule is being prepared by PHMSA and will likely be issued in the Fall of 2009. For further information, please contact George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net .

Transmission Integrity Management Program (IMP)
The regulation is being fully implemented and enforced both for liquids and gas pipelines.

PHMSA has formed an Integrated Inspection Team with one NAPSR member on the gas team and one the liquids team, which has almost completed its work. Congress asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether the 7-year interval is appropriate. The GAO report found no fault with a risk-based approach to the reassessment interval. However, because the law is specific on the 7-year requirement, PHMSA cannot issue a regulation to the contrary. Instead, it is choosing to use the waiver process. It is proposing to adopt an approach whereby special permits might be granted for what the agency finds as justifiable deviations from the 7-year reassessment interval.

 

There is also an effort to clarify requirements on inspection of pipeline casings and on anomaly inspection and repair under way: A workshop on Cased Pipeline Integrity Assessment was held on July 15-16, 2008 in Rosemont, IL. For a summary of the meeting, click on https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=54 . A PHMSA-sponsored Casing Inspection Task Group (CASQAT) has been formed. See above, under the Hot Off The Press heading. A PHMSA-sponsored workshop on Anomaly Inspection and Repair was held last October in Washington, D.C. See above under the Hot Off The Press heading. Further work is planned on this as well.

 

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