Rupture Valve Shut-off Post-Incident Records for Pipeline Operators

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

INFORMATION COLLECTION

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

“Rupture/ Valve Shut-off: Post-Incident Records for Pipeline Operators”

OMB Control No. 2137-XXXX (PHMSA is requesting a new OMB Control No.)

Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0255

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, “Rupture/ Valve Shut-off: Post-Incident Records for Pipeline Operators”. 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-2013-0255 - Pipeline Safety: Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to Require Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards

• This collection will add 50 Annual Responses and 400 Annual Burden Hours for post-incident recordkeeping

Part A. Justification

1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

According to the provisions proposed in the Pipeline Safety: Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to Require Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards NPRM, if a failure or incident involves a rupture as defined in § 192.3 or the closure of a rupture-mitigation valve as defined in § 192.634, the operator must complete a summary of the post-incident review within 90 days of the failure or incident while the investigation is pending and conduct quarterly status reviews until completed. The post-incident summary, all investigation and analysis documents used to prepare it, and records of lessons learned must be must be reviewed, dated, and signed by the appropriate senior executive officer and kept for the useful life 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 incidents in which pipelines rupture or in which the rupture-mitigation valves were closed. methods used by hazardous liquid operators when mitigating pipeline ruptures. PHMSA will use the information provided in the records to identify potential preventive and mitigative measures that could be taken to reduce or limit the release volume and damage from similar events in the future.

3. Extent of automated information collection

PHMSA allows operators to keep the records by whatever means is easiest for them.

4. 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 natural gas and hazardous materials. 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 February 6, 2020 (85 FR 7162). The comment period ends on April 6, 2020.

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 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.

Proposed number of responses: 50 responses

Proposed annual burden: 400 hours

PHMSA expects PHMSA estimates this notification requirement will result in 50 responses annually and has allotted each respondent 8 hours per response to conduct this task. This results in an overall annual burden estimate of 400 hours (50 responses *8 hours).

IC	Responses	Burden Per Response	Total Burden
Rupture/ Valve Shut-off: Post-Incident Records for Pipeline Operators	50	8 hours	400 hours
Total	50 annual responses		400 annual burden hours

13. Estimate of the total annual costs burden.

PHMSA expects the records in this information collection to be kept by a senior engineer. Based on the industry-specific occupational and wage estimates provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, median hourly wage of an engineering manager (for NAICS 486000 – pipeline transportation)^a is estimated as $77.50. Using an estimated fringe benefit of approximately 35 percent, the notification requirements for gas pipeline operators are prepared at the average rate of $104.63 per hour.

The total cost to the industry is 400 hours x $104.63/hour = $41,852.

14. Estimates of costs to the Federal Government

There is no additional cost to the Federal Government associated with this information collection.

15. Explanation of the program change or adjustments.

The NPRM Pipeline Safety: Amendments to Parts 192 and 195 to Require Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards NPRM, requires natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline operators to complete a post-incident summary following a pipeline rupture or the closure of a rupture-mitigation valve. The review must be conducted within 90 days of the failure or incident while the investigation is pending and updated quarterly reviews until the investigation is completed.

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.

18. Exceptions to the certification statement.

There is no exception.

a https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_486000.htm