2137_0629_EFV_Supporting StatementA

3

Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Office of Pipeline Safety

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Excess Flow Valves – Revisions to the Gas Distribution Annual Report

OMB Control No. 2137-0629

Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0009

INTRODUCTION

This is to request the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) three-year approved clearance for an information collection currently under OMB Control Number 2137-0629 entitled, “Annual Report for Gas Distribution Operators”.

This information collection revision is necessary due to the following PHMSA action:

• Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0009 - Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences

To meet the requirements proposed in this rule, PHMSA is revising the Gas Distribution Annual Report to collect data on the number of Excess Flow Valves installed on multi-family residences, branch service lines, and small commercial customers. The report will also be revised to collect the number of manual shut-off valves installed.

INTRODUCTION

This is to request the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) revision of the information collection entitled, “Annual Report for Gas Distribution Operators”.

Part A. Justification

1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

Annual reports inform PHMSA and the public about the extent of gas distribution pipeline systems and leaks from these systems. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General, and the General Accounting Office all urged PHMSA to collect this information. The information is an essential part of PHMSA’s overall effort to characterize the extent and safety record of natural gas distribution pipeline systems.

Revisions to the Pipeline Safety regulations in 49 CFR part 192.383 would require operators to submit the number of excess flow valves installed on multi-dwelling units and large buildings. Operators would submit this information on the Gas Distribution Annual Report under OMB Control No. 2137-0629. The requirements for annual reporting are in 49 CFR Part 191. The PHMSA delegation of authority is found in 49 CFR 1.97 which allows for PHMSA to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary in under Chapter 601 of title 49, U.S.C. The specific legislative authority cites for the requirements in 49 CFR Part 191 include49 U.S.C. 60102, 60103, 60104, 60108, 60117, 60118, 60124 and 60139.

This collection supports the DOT strategic safety mission by providing metrics that enable PHMSA to be aware of and mitigate inherent risks in the operation of gas distribution pipelines.

2. How, by whom, and for what purpose is the information to be used.

PHMSA uses this information collection to gather annual report data from gas distribution pipeline operators. The annual report form collects data about the pipe material, size, and age. The form also collects data on leaks from these systems as well as excavation damages. PHMSA uses the information to track the extent of gas distribution systems and normalize incident and leak rates.

3. Extent of automated information collection.

PHMSA requires operators to submit all required reports electronically with an exception for those operators to whom electronic submissions would pose an undue burden and hardship. Pipeline operators are encouraged to file the annual reports on-line at www.opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

PHMSA is the only federal agency that collects information related to miles of mains, number of services, leaks, and excavation damages for gas distribution pipeline systems. No similar information is requested by the government or industry.

5. Efforts to minimize the burden on small businesses.

For PHMSA to be able to effectively carry out its legislative mandate and monitor natural gas pipeline safety, it is essential that both large and small operators of pipelines provide annual reports.

6. Impact of less frequent collection of information.

The biennial report to Congress mandated by 49 U.S.C. 60124(b) would not have current information without the annual reports. Less frequent information collection could compromise the safety and economic viability of the U.S. pipeline system.

7. Special Circumstances.

There are no special circumstances within this request.

8. Compliance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d).

PHMSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on July 15, 2015 (80 FR 41460)

9. Payment or gifts to respondents.

There is no payment or gift provided to respondents associated with this collection of information.

10. Assurance of confidentiality.

PHMSA does not have the authority to assure confidentiality.

11. Justification for collection of sensitive information.

This information collection does not involve questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Estimate of burden hours for information requested.

There are approximately 1, 440 gas distribution operators. These operators are required to submit annual reports for their pipeline systems to PHMSA on an annual basis. PHMSA estimates that it will take each operator 16 hours to compile information pertaining tho this report and to submit the requested data to PHMSA for an estimated total burden of 23,040 hours {16 hours * 1, 440 operators}.

A table detailing this burden estimate is listed below:

Number of Operators	Hours to Complete	Total Burden
1,440	16	23,040

13. Estimate of the total annual costs burden.

This is no additional cost to the respondent to comply with this requirement.

14. Estimates of costs to the Federal Government.

There is no additional cost to the Federal Government to collect this information.

15. Explanation of the program change or adjustments.

To meet the requirements proposed in “Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas Distribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences," PHMSA plans to revise the Gas Distribution Annual report to collect the number of EFVs installed on multi-family dwellings, branch service lines, and small commercial businesses. PHMSA also plans to collect the number of curb valves installed. Currently, operators are required to submit the total number of excess flow valves installed on single family residences and the total number of EFVs within their system. Therefore, PHMSA does not expect operators to experience an increase in burden beyond the burden currently estimated for the Gas Distribution Annual Report.

16. Publication of results of data collection.

PHMSA summarizes the annual report data on its public website and makes the entire data set available for download.

17. Approval for not displaying the expiration date of OMB approval.

PHMSA will display the expiration date.

18. Exceptions to the certification statement.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.