Pipeline Safety: Safety Standards for Increasing the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
MAOP PRA Supporting Statement.doc Supporting Statement A	2008-07-23

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
185782	Pipeline Safety: Safety Standards for Increasing the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2137-0626	ICR Reference No: 200807-2137-001
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/PHMSA	Agency Tracking No: MAOP IC 2137-AE25
Title: Pipeline Safety: Safety Standards for Increasing the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule	Conclusion Date: 01/16/2009
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/30/2008
Terms of Clearance: DOT will address comments filed on proposed rule.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Pipeline published an NPRM on March 12, 2008, entitled, "Pipeline Safety: Safety Standards for Increasing the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines." It appears that an Information Collection was not submitted to OMB at that time. In this NPRM, Pipeline proposes to amend the pipeline safety regulations to prescribe safety requirements for the operation of certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based on higher operating stress levels. The result is an increase of maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) over that currently allowed in the regulations. This action updates regulatory standards to reflect improvements in pipeline materials, assessment tools, and maintenance practices, which together have significantly reduced the risk of failure in steel pipeline fabricated and installed over the last twenty-five years. The rule allows use of an established industry standard for the calculation of MAOP, but limits application of the standard to pipelines posing a low safety risk based on location, materials, and construction. This rule will generate significant public benefits by boosting the potential capacity and efficiency of pipeline infrastructure, while promoting investment in improved pipe technology and rigorous life-cycle maintenance. Incorporating the special permit standards into PHMSA’s regulations allows qualified pipelines to operate at higher pressure. The rule eases regulatory burdens, encourages the development of new infrastructure, improves regulatory certainty, and reduces Agency workload associated with granting individual applications. The information collection associated with this new regulation will promote the US DOT’s Safety and Environmental Strategic Goals. Notification requirements ensure operators will assess pipeline new installations and upgrades to better protect both human and environmental resources. Pipeline operators will contact PHMSA before implementing an alternative MAOP. Senior executive officers must sign the certification and send it to PHMSA at least 30 days before implementation. PHMSA will review the certification request to ensure that the new or uprated (replacement) pipelines are specified to accommodate the higher operating pressure. Recordkeeping and reporting requirements are developed from pipeline industry standards and internal procedures previously used by pipeline operators to monitor, evaluate, control, and record functions relating to the operation and maintenance of their pipeline system. Without the information collection, PHMSA would not be guaranteed timely notification of alternative MAOP pipeline installation and would lack a method to proactively identify trends and avoid potential safety issues.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 60102 et seq Name of Law: Pipeline Inspection Protection Enforcement and Safety (Pipes) Act of 2006
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: US Code: 49 USC 60102 et seq Name of Law: Pipeline Safety Acts

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2137-AE25	Proposed rulemaking	73 FR 13167	03/12/2008

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Pipeline Safety: Safety Standards for Increasing the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure for Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Pipeline operators will contact PHMSA before implementing an alternative maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP). Senior executive officers must sign the certification and send it to PHMSA at least 30 days before implementation. PHMSA will review the certification request to ensure that the new or uprated (replacement) pipelines are specified to accommodate the higher operating pressure. Recordkeeping and reporting requirements are developed from pipeline industry standards and internal procedures previously used by pipeline operators to monitor, evaluate, control, and record functions relating to the operation and maintenance of their pipeline system. Without the information collection, PHMSA would not be guaranteed timely notification of alternative MAOP pipeline installation and would lack a method to proactively identify trends and avoid potential safety issues.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 09/30/2008

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