The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107â355), 49 U.S.C. 60132, ââNational Pipeline Mapping System,ââ requires, the operator of a pipeline facility (except distribution lines and gathering lines) to provide information to the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHMSA). Each operator is required to submit geospatial data appropriate for use in the National Pipeline Mapping System or data in a format that can be readily converted to geospatial data; the name and address of the person with primary operational control (to be known as its operator), and a means for a member of the public to contact the operator for additional information about the pipeline facilities it operates.
This revision will require operators to submit more pipeline attributes geospatially. Operators will submit the requested data elements once and make annual updates to the data if necessary. The new data elements will strengthen the effectiveness of PHMSAâs risk rankings and evaluations, which are used as a factor in determining pipeline inspection priority and frequency; allow for more effective assistance to emergency responders by providing them with a more reliable, complete data set of pipelines and facilities; and provide better support to PHMSAâs inspectors by providing more accurate pipeline locations and additional pipeline-related geospatial data that can be linked to tabular data in PHMSAâs inspection database.
PHMSA has found that the current data accuracy and minimal set of attributes included with NPMS submissions no longer meet its needs, and requires more accurate and complete information about a pipeline, LNG plant, or breakout tank. In an effort to increase data accuracy, PHMSA is revising this information to collect additional information with a greater level of granularity. The additional number of pipeline attributes requested, specifically the positional accuracy data, accounts for the increase in burden.
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.