Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program for Gas Distribution Pipelines

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2137-0625 Gas Distribution NPRM Supporting Statement.docx Supporting Statement A	2023-09-15

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
262189	Integrity Management for Small Operators and LPGs with 100 or more Customers	New
185257	Integrity Management for Large Operators	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2137-0625	ICR Reference No: 202309-2137-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202101-2137-002
Agency/Subagency: DOT/PHMSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Pipeline Safety: Integrity Management Program for Gas Distribution Pipelines
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/18/2023

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2024
Responses	1,343	3,882
Time Burden (Hours)	657,178	723,192
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations require operators of gas distribution pipelines to develop and implement integrity management (IM) programs. The purpose of these programs is to enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity risks. This mandatory record keeping requirement supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFETY GOAL, which targets three main strategic initiatives: managing risk and integrity, sharing responsibility, and providing effective stewardship. This goal enhances public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths and injuries. PHMSA requires operators to maintain records demonstrating compliance with this information collection for 10 years. PHMSA uses the information to evaluate the overall effectiveness of gas distribution Integrity Management requirements. PHMSA proposes to repeal the requirement for operators of small LPGs to participate in the distribution IM program. PHMSA previously estimated that there were 2,539 operators of small LPG systems. Consequently, PHMSA expects the burden of this information collection to be reduced by 2,539 responses and 66,014 hours due to the removal of small LPG operators.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 60102 Name of Law: Federal Pipeline Safety Laws
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2137-AF53	Proposed rulemaking	88 FR 61746	09/07/2023

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Integrity Management for Large Operators
Integrity Management for Small Operators and LPGs with 100 or more Customers

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,343	3,882	0	-2,539	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	657,178	723,192	0	-66,014	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Changing Regulations

Short Statement: This ICR is revised to include reflect changes proposed in the Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines and Other Pipeline Safety Initiatives NPRM. With this deregulatory action, PHMSA eliminates the requirement for LPG operators of a gas distribution pipeline with fewer than 100 customers to develop and maintain integrity management plans. Eliminating this requirement for master meter operators will result in reduction of 2,539 responses and 66, 014 burden hours for this information collection.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,076,300

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 09/18/2023

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