Alternative Equivalent Technology for Onshore Rupture Mitigation Notifications

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

INFORMATION COLLECTION

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

“Alternative Equivalent Technology for Onshore Rupture Mitigation Notifications”

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, “Alternative Equivalent Technology for Onshore Rupture Mitigation Notifications”. 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 2 Annual Responses and 80 Annual Burden Hours for operator notifications to PHMSA.

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, operators who elect to use alternative equivalent technology must notify, in accordance with § 192.949, the Office of Pipeline Safety at least 90 days in advance of use. An operator choosing this option must include a technical and safety evaluation, including design, construction, and operating procedures for the alternative equivalent technology to the Associate Administrator of Pipeline Safety with the notification. PHMSA would then have 90 days to object to the alternative equivalent technology via letter from the Associate Administrator of Pipeline Safety; otherwise, the alternative equivalent technology would be acceptable for use.

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 safety of the use of alternate technologies for pipeline operators. 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 electronic mail.

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. Without this information, PHMSA would not be able to adequately assess potential risks associated with the use of alternative technologies. 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 or Responses: 2

Proposed Burden Estimate: 80 hours

PHMSA expects that the majority of natural gas transmission pipeline operators will use the recommended industry standards of technology. As such, PHMSA estimates this notification requirement will result in 2 responses annually and has allotted each respondent 40 hours per response to conduct this task. This results in an overall annual burden estimate of 80 hours (2 responses *40 hours).

IC	Responses	Burden Per Response	Total Burden
Alternative Equivalent Technology for Onshore Rupture Mitigation Notifications	2	40 hours	80 hours
Total	2 annual responses		80 annual burden hours

13. Estimate of the total annual costs burden.

PHMSA expects the notifications in this information collection to be made 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 80 hours x $104.63/hour = $8,370.40.

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 requires natural gas transmission pipeline operators who use alternate technonologies notify PHMSA at least 90 days in advance of use.

16. Publication of results of data collection.

This information will not be published.

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