DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
INFORMATION COLLECTION
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
“Operator Notifications –Alternate Pressure Testing Method”
OMB Control No. 2137-XXXX (PHMSA is requesting a new OMB Control No.)
Docket PHMSA-2010-0229
INTRODUCTION
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requests approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a new information collection entitled, “Operator Notifications –Alternate Pressure Testing Method”. The development of this information collection is necessary due to the following PHMSA action that will trigger components of the Paperwork Reduction Act:
Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0229 - Pipeline Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
This collection will add 10 Annual Responses and 10 Annual Burden Hours for the notifications made to PHMSA regarding the use of alternate methods of pressure testing on hazardous liquid pipelines.
Part A. Justification
Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
According to the provisions proposed in the Pipeline Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines NPRM, owners and operators of non-High Consequence Area hazardous liquid pipelines that are not subject to the integrity management requirements in 49 CFR §195.452 will be required to provide PHMSA with notifications when they are unable to assess their pipeline via an in-line inspection. In-line inspections have been proven across industry standards to be one of the most effective ways to assess the integrity of a pipline. This information collection will allow operators who choose to use a different method of pressure-testing to demonstrate that their pipeline is not capable of accommodating an inline inspection tool; and that the use of an alternative assessment method will provide a substantially equivalent understanding of the condition of the pipeline.
This information collection promotes the US DOT’s Safety Strategic Goals. 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.
2. How, by whom, and for what purpose is the information to be used.
The information collection provides PHMSA with the information necessary to evaluate the methods used by hazardous liquid operators when assessing the integrity of their pipelines. In-line inspections are considered among the most effective means of pressure testing risk posed by these lines. PHMSA will use the information provided in the notifications to ensure that alternative methods used provide an equivalent level of safety and effectiveness.
3. Extent of automated information collection
PHMSA allows operators to send notifications via facsimilie.
Describe efforts to identify duplication
There is no duplication, as the information collected is unique to specific situations.
5. Efforts to minimize the burden on small businesses.
The burden has been made as simple as possible. PHMSA expects impacted operators to be large and small businesses. For PHMSA to be able to effectively carry out its mission and monitor overall pipeline safety, it is essential that both large and small operators of pipelines comply with the associated directives.
6. Impact of less frequent collection of information.
It is not possible to conduct the collection less frequently and still ensure the necessary level of safety to life and property inherent in transporting hazardous materials. Without this information, PHMSA would not be able to adequately assess potential risks associated with hazardous liquid pipelines that are not subject to integrity management requirements. these pipelines could potentially be detrimental to the pipeline safety and the protection of the environment. Therefore, less frequent information collection could compromise the safety of the U.S. pipeline system and the environment.
7. Special Circumstances.
The information collection contains no special circumstances.
8. Compliance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d).
PHMSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on October XX, 2015 (XX FR XXXXX). The comment period ends on XX, XX, 2015.
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 guarantee 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.
10 Annual Responses and 10 Annual Burden Hours
PHMSA estimates that the majority of hazardous liquid pipeline operators use in-line inspections as their primary form of pressure testing. PHMSA expects fewer than 1% of hazardous operators (approximately 10 operators per year) to use a testing method other than an in-line inspection. PHMSA expects that it will take the average operator complying with this requirement 1 hour to make the notification. This results in an overall annual burden estimate of 10 hours (10 responses *1 hours).
13. Estimate of the total annual costs burden.
There are no additional monetary costs to the respondents to comply with this data request.
14. Estimates of costs to the Federal Government
There is no additional cost to the Federal Government associated with this information collection.
Explanation of the program change or adjustments.
The NPRM Pipeline Safety: Safety of Hazardous Liquid Pipelines proposes that owners and operators of non-High Consequence Area hazardous liquid pipelines that are not subject to the integrity management requirements in 49 CFR §195.452 be required to provide PHMSA with notifications when they are unable to assess their pipeline via an in-line inspection.
16. Publication of results of data collection.
This information will not be published for statistical purposes.
17. Approval for not displaying the expiration date of OMB approval.
PHMSA is not seeking such approval.
Exceptions to the certification statement.
There is no exception.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SAMPLE |
| Author | frauser1 |
| Last Modified By | Angela Dow |
| File Modified | 2015-10-06 |
| File Created | 2015-09-17 |