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DOT/RSPA RIN: 2137-AD01 Publication ID: Spring 2003 
Title: Pipeline Safety: Further Regulatory Review; Gas Pipeline Safety Standards 
Abstract: This action would change miscellaneous gas pipeline safety standards to provide clarity, eliminate unnecessary or overly burdensome requirements, and foster economic growth. The proposed changes result from RSPA's further review of the standards and changes recommended by the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) in its November 1992 report on the standards and by the State Industry Regulatory Review Committee in its April 26, 1999, report. The proposed changes would reduce costs in the pipeline industry without compromising safety. 
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 49 CFR 192   
Legal Authority: 49 USC 60101 to 60125   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  11/13/2002  67 FR 68815   
Final Rule  07/00/2003    
Additional Information: Docket No. RSPA-02-13208. Formerly Docket No. PS-124. The NAPSR report was published November 9, 1993, at 58 FR 59431, as part of the earlier review of the standards. Early in 1992, RSPA began an extensive review of the Federal gas pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR 192) and invited the public to participate (57 FR 4745; February 7, 1992). RSPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), proposing changes to 38 regulations in part 192 (Notice 1: 57 FR 39572; August 31, 1992). In addition, the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) reported on a separate but related review of part 192. Because the NAPSR report concerned a few of the regulations covered by the NPRM and had similar objectives, we published the report and requested public comment on its various recommended rule changes (Notice 2: 58 FR 59431; November 9, 1992) and later extended the comment period (Notice 3: 58 FR 68382; December 27, 1993). A final rule was published on June 6, 1996. However, not all the changes suggested by the commenters were incorporated in the final rule. A further review of the regulations in part 192, based on the record in this docket, was initiated in late 1996. This review identified proposals from the Gas Piping Technology Committee (GPTC), the ASME B31.8 (gas pipeline safety standards) committee, and NAPSR that have not yet been addressed. In October 1997, NAPSR and the gas pipeline industry formed the State Industry Regulatory Review Committee (SIRRC) to discuss the regulatory proposals of NAPSR and other issues. On May 3, 1999, the SIRRC provided OPS a report on outcome of the discussion on 39 proposed changes in the gas pipeline safety regulations. Most of the SIRRC recommendations will be addressed in a subsequent notice of proposed rulemaking. However, the welding recommendations are being adopted in the periodic update (Docket No. RSPA-99-6106 RIN 2137-AD35). And the corrosion control recommendations are being considered in a review of the gas pipeline corrosion regulations in RIN 2137-AD63.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
L.M. Furrow
Manager, Regulations
Department of Transportation
Research and Special Programs Administration
400 Seventh Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20590
Phone:202 366-4559
Fax:202 366-4566
Email: buck.furrow@rspa.dot.gov