Pursuant to 5
CFR 1320.11(c), OMB files this comment on this information
collection request (ICR). In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is
withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public
comment in response to the NPRM and will include in the supporting
statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule
stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public
comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical
utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
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PHMSA proposes to amend the Federal
Pipeline Safety Regulations to require operators of gas
distribution pipelines to develop and implement integrity
management (IM) programs. The purpose of these programs is to
enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity
risks. The IM programs required by the proposed rule would be
similar to those currently required for gas transmission pipelines,
but tailored to reflect the differences in and among distribution
systems. In accordance with Federal law, the proposed rule would
require operators to install excess flow valves on certain new and
replaced residential service lines, subject to feasibility criteria
outlined in the rule. Based on the required risk assessments and
enhanced controls, the proposed rule also would establish
procedures and standards permitting risk-based adjustment of
prescribed intervals for leak detection surveys and other
fixed-interval requirements in the agencys existing regulations
for gas distribution pipelines. To further minimize regulatory
burdens, the proposed rule would establish simpler requirements for
master meter and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operators,
reflecting the relatively lower risk of these small pipeline
systems.
US Code:
49
USC 60102 Name of Law: Federal Pipeline Safety Laws
DIMP will impact an estimated
201 large distribution system operators (i.e., operators with
greater than 12,000 services, 1,090 small distribution operators
(i.e., operators with 12,000 or fewer services), and 8,000 master
meter and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems. The paperwork
activities expected are: (1) prepare and update the DIMP plan, and
(2) submit required periodic reports. Each of the 201 large
operators will need an estimated 960 hours to complete all
paperwork tasks associated with the DIMP plan. Documenting the plan
will take an estimated 800 hours for each large operator. Periodic
plan updates for each large operator is estimated at 288 hours in
the second year and beyond. Each of the 1,090 small operators will
need an estimated 83 hours to prepare the DIMP plan. Documenting
the plan will take an estimated 40 hours for each small operator.
Periodic plan updates for each small operator is estimated at 24
hours in the second year and beyond. Each of estimated 8,000 master
meter and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) systems operators will need an
estimated 20 hours to prepare the DIMP plan. Documenting the plan
will take an estimated 4 hours for each master meter and LPG
systems operator. Periodic updates for each master meter and LPG
operator not expected to require an information collection burden.
It is assumed that the time required to submit this information
will be nominal or at most 10 minutes. Large operators are expected
to have 33.5 burden hours attributable to reporting (= 201
operators x 1/6 hour); small operators will have an estimated 181.5
hours (= 1,090 operators x 1/6 hour); and master meter and LPG
systems are exempt from proposed reporting requirements. The total
annual burden hours for reporting will be 215 hours. The total
information collection burden hours, for the first year is
estimated 680,045 hours. For the second and subsequent years the
information collection is estimated to be 84,263 burden hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
DIMP Supporting Statement.doc
Integrity Management Program for Gas Distribution Pipelines