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:

 

Changes in State Program Managers

NAPSR welcomes new program managers Jason Montoya in New Mexico, Bob Bachmeier in North Dakota and Jerry Platt in Delaware. At the same time, we bid farewell to Clint Stephens, who is leaving the Arkansas Public Service Commission to join the PHMSA Southwest Region starting on July 2.

 

NAPSR Testifies at PIpeline Safety Reauthorization Hearing

On May 20, 2010 Paul Metro, pipeline safety program manager for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and National Secretary of NAPSR testified on behalf of NAPSR before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Railroads Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. Paul's testimony concentrated on emphasizing that addtional time is needed to verify the effectivenss of existing legislative mandates on pipeline safety before new ones are imposed, and that state access should be facilitated to federal grant funds to enable the states to carry out previously imposed underfunded mandates during these times of economic distress.

 

Distribution Construction Workshop A Success

The PHMSA-NAPSR sponsored workshop hosted by PHMSA and emceed by NAPSR National Chairman Michael Thompson, was held on April 20, 2010 in St. Louis, MO, with over 80 attendees particpating. This included over a dozen NAPSR members, plus PHMSA personnel, gas system operators, contractors, AGA and APGA representatives, and consultants. At the conclusion of the meeting, NAPSR distributed a one-page document containing a proposed action path (click here to view) addressing the issues brought up by NAPSR in distribution facility construction. This included action items for federal and state regulators, trade associations, gas system operators, construction contractors, trade unions, and pipe manufacturers. For further information on this action path, contact Michael Thompson at Michael.thompson@state.or.us or George Mosinskis at gmosinskis@cox.net.

 

NAPSR Annual Meetings To Kick-Off in May

The 2010 annual NAPSR meetings season was successfully kicked off with the Central Region meeting in Wisconsin Dells, WI on May 17. The Southwest Region meeting originally scheduled to start on May 3 in San Antonio,TX, had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond the region chair's control. The season will culminate with the National meeting on September 27 through October 3 in Portland, OR. For the latest information, click on NAPSR Annual Regional and National Meeting Schedule for 2010 link, above. Follow the instructions on the webpage to get further information on a Region meeting, including meeting registration and hotel reservations. Note that some of the meeting information is still missing as we wait for further word from the Region leaders.

 

Update to 2010 Events Calendar Posted On May 26

Click on the link on the right side of this webpage for currently visible information on meetings that may affect NAPSR members.

 

PHMSA Publishes Advisory Bulletin on OQ Program Modifications

Advisory Bulletin ADB 09-03 appeared in the Federal Register of December 7, 2010. It informs pipeline operators about the standardized notification process for operator qualification (OQ) plan transmittal from the operator to PHMSA. This Advisory Bulletin also informs operators about the addition to PHMSA’s glossary of definitions of the terms ‘‘Observation of on-the-job performance’’ as applicable to determining employee qualification and ‘‘Significant’’ as applicable to OQ program modifications requiring notification. Finally, it makes other miscellaneous clarifications to assist operators in complying with OQ requirements in the pipeline safety code.

 

Implementation of the DIMP rule began on February 12, 2010

Following publication of the PHMSA December 4 final rule on Distribution Integrity Management Programs (DIMP), planning the implementation of the rule which had been on hold for a few months, was resumed with a meeting of the DIMP Implementation Task Group on January 12-13, 2010 in the Washington, D.C. area. The group which consists of NAPSR member states and PHMSA personnel, aims to develop ways to verify distribution system operator compliance with the rule. This includes the operator's DIMP plan as well as implementation of such plan. NAPSR pipeline safety program manager members of this group are DIMP "veterans" Michael Thompson,OR, Massoud Tahamtani, VA, and Don Stursma, IA and newcomers Darin Burk, IL, Nathan Solem, SD and Wallace Jones, AL. See below under MAJOR PROGRAMS for further information on the DIMP rule. Concurrently, PHMSA also posted on its website their revised DOT Annual Report for Gas Distribution Form 7100.1-1 and instructions. Citing the need for added public input on data collection for compression couplings required in the final DIMP rule, PHMSA provided for an extension of the comment period for the associated portion of the DOT Annual Report. On February 4, 2010 NAPSR filed comments to the docket on the Form, as well as on the form instructions.

 

 

PHMSA Completes Initial Effort to Characterize State Damage Prevention Programs

PHMSA has posted results from the recent State Damage Prevention Program Characterization (SDPPC) effort at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/sdppc.htm?nocache=2568 . The PHMSA SDPPC initiative “evaluates state programs against the nine elements of effective damage prevention programs cited by Congress in the PIPES Act of 2006.  Its purpose is to gain a better understanding of the successes and challenges existing in state damage prevention programs, where these programs may need improvement, and where PHMSA can focus further assistance."  Additional information concerning PHMSA'/OPS' efforts to characterize state damage prevention programs is posted at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/SdppcDiscussion.htm?nocache=9660 . It is conceivable that the results produced by the SDPPC 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. Another meeting is currently scheduled forthe group at the end of April, 2010 in Grapevine, TX.

 

 

PHMSA Implements Revised Incident Forms

On February 3, 2010, PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2010-01 stating that effective January 1, 2010, operators should use the revised incident reporting forms to report gas incidents and liquids accidents to DOT. Copies of the new forms and instructions are available at http://phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/library/forms or http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/. For more 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 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 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 . The DOT annual report form for Gas Distribution was not included in this set. 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 Transmission 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. See below under "Heads Up". Information on this group's efforts is posted at the following website http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp/ccCASQAT.htm .Currently, a document developed by this task group is in the final stages of review. For information, NAPSR members are urged to contact contact David Chislea at chislead@michigan.gov, phone (231) 922-0535.

 

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 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.

 

 

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. PHMSA-requested NAPSR surveys carry a points question in the State Evaluation Form and will be noted as such in the survey request message.

 

Update on Operator Qualification Standard and Rule Review

The Technical Committee for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31Q Pipeline Operator Qualification Standard had another meeting on March 2-3, 2010 in Albuquerque, NM. 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. Meanwhile, a "Revived OQ" task group consisting of PHMSA and NAPSR personnel has been formed under the leadership of PHMSA Traning & Qualification.

 

 

HEADS UP:

PHMSA Workshop on Public Awareness Communications

A one-day workshop sponsored by PHMSA was held on June 30, 2010 in Houston, TX, with a large group in attendance. The workshop was webcast live. A recording will be available on the PHMSA website soon. NAPSR has named a member from each region plus two alternates to the government-only Public Awareness Program (PAP) Ad Hoc Team. They are Leo Haynos (KS), Don Ledversis (RI), Ron Law (ID), Larry Borum (TN) and Mike Smith (NM). The alternates are James Mergist (LA), and David Lykken (WA). PHMSA has posted the presentations from the subject workshop at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/meetings/MtgHome.mtg?mtg=65&nocache=4495 . NAPSR's presentation at the workshop focused on what is to be done to assess an operator's PAP plans and implementation effectiveness.The team is now focusing on developing an inspection form and associated guidance that will allow both the inspectors and the inspected to clearly understand what is required.

 

Workshop on Integrity Assessment of Cased Pipelines

A one-day workshop sponsored by PHMSA was helt April 28, 2010 in Baltimore, MD. In addition to the two NAPSR members on the CASQAT from MI and NC, members from NY and CA attended this workshop. Industry members are concerned that the PHMSA requirements for assessment of cased pipelines in High Consequence Areas are too stringent for the risks they have historically presented.

 

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 were due to the PHMSA docket on December 14, 2009. NAPSR filed comments. These include a suggestion for continuing discussions with PHMSA on key aspects of its advance proposal beyond the deadline for comments. A follow-up discussion was held via teleconference on April 2, 2010 with PHMSA. Program Managers from VA, OR, IL and IA were on the call. A summary of the discussion during that call is posted on the PHMSA docket to see the summary click here. For more details, NAPSR program managers are urged to 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.

 

 

Job Openings in Pipeline Safety

 

WA Utilities and Transportation Commission Seeks Pipeline Safety Engineer

AZ Corporation Commission Seeks Pipeline Safety Inspector

AR Public Service Commission Seeks Chief of Pipeline Safety

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

 

 

MAJOR PROGRAMSAJOR PROGRAMS

 

Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP)
Rulemaking status: December 4, 2009, PHMSA published in the Federal Register the Final Rule on DIMP, to become effective on February 12, 2010. At the same time, the revised DOT Gas Distribution Annual Report form and instructions have been posted on the PHMSA docket at PHMSA-RSPA-19854-0256 at the regulations.gov website. Members of the NAPSR Data Team have reviewed these documents to ensure they collect reliable data. Comments were submitted by NAPSR to the docket to cover both the added requirements for compression couplings and the form and instructions for the distribution system DOT annual report.

A guidance document will be available from the Gas Piping Technology Committee as soon as PHMSA compiles and acts on the comments related to the addition of reporting on compression couplings in the DIMP rule. 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 .

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.

The federal-state DIMP Implementation Task Group, chaired by Darin Burk of the Illinois Commerce Commission is working to develop an inspection form for both the operator's DIMP plan and its DIMP program implementation.

 

 

State Damage Prevention Law Information Now Available Here

Please click on this State One-Call link to access the folder that contains the files with the state damage prevention laws. Click on Summary to access a spreadsheet that summarizes specific features of the state law.

 

 

Control Room Management/Human Factors
Rulemaking status: A final rule was published by PHMSA on December 3, 2009. It becomes effective on February 1, 2010. An operator must develop control room management procedures by August 1, 2011 and implement the procedures by February 1, 2012. A correction to the rule was published in the Federal Register of February 3, 2010. It revises certain dates for implementation of procedures called for in the rule. 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 under way to clarify requirements on inspection of pipeline casings and on anomaly inspection. For a information, 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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