PHMSA Sends Two Pipeline Safety Rules to OMB

Yesterday the OMB web site announced that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration submitted two rules for OMB review. The first is a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) providing for PHMSA enforcement of State anti-excavation laws. The second is an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to require the installation of excess flow valves (EFV) on gas service lines in structures other than single family residences.

State Anti-Excavation Laws

According to the abstract for this NPRM published on the RegInfo.gov web site:

“The PIPES Act provides PHMSA with the authority to enforce excavation damage laws in those states that have inadequate enforcement. This rulemaking would consider standards for excavators and operators to follow when conducting excavation in a vicinity of a pipeline and the administrative procedures to be used for enforcement proceedings.”

The ANPRM for this rule was published in October 2009.

Excess Flow Valves

According to the abstract for this ANPRM published on the RegInfo.gov web site:

“This rulemaking would require excess flow valves (EFVs) be installed in all new and renewed gas service lines, for structures other than single family dwellings, when the operating conditions are compatible with readily available valves. These changes would be in response to NTSB and PHMSA investigations of current EFV installation practices. The intended effect of the rule is to increase the level of safety for structures other than single family dwellings currently subject to Federal pipeline safety regulation.”