PUC Invites Public Comments On Enhancements To Regulation Covering Petroleum & Hazardous Liquids Pipelines
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On February 12, the Public Utility Commission published notice in the PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding regulations related to the pipeline transport of petroleum products and hazardous liquids in intrastate commerce – seeking public comment on proposed amendments to existing regulations along with the addition of new regulations.

On July 15, 2021, the Commission voted 4-0 to formally open the rulemaking process and seek public comment on the NOPR in the PA Bulletin.

Pipeline Safety Rulemaking

The action by the Commission is the latest step forward in a comprehensive process to explore and address pipeline safety regulations in Pennsylvania.

The proposed rulemaking initiated today follows the PUC review and analysis of more than 90 comments, ranging in size from one-page resolutions to submissions that spanned hundreds of pages of documentation. 

Public input also included comments from community advocates and citizens’ organizations, along with local governments, industry affiliates, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and concerned citizens. 

The proposed rulemaking would create a new heading within Chapter 59 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s regulations (52 Pa. Code) to encompass “Hazardous Liquid Public Utility Safety Standards.”

The new sections for hazardous liquids utilities include the following:

-- Accident reporting

-- Construction, operation and maintenance, and other reports

-- Design requirements

-- Construction

-- Horizontal directional drilling and trenchless technology

-- Pressure testing

-- Operation and maintenance

-- Qualification of pipeline personnel

-- Land agents

-- Corrosion control

Additionally, the proposed rulemaking would revise the existing “Service and Facilities” heading for certain sections of Chapter 59 (59.11 through 59.38) to clarify that those sections are applicable only to natural gas public utilities – addressing matters related to hazardous liquids public utility service in the newly created sections of the regulations.

Click Here for formal notice.

Commenting on the Proposed Rulemaking

Interested parties may submit written comments within 60 days from the date the NOPR is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and reply comments should be submitted within 30 days of the initial comment period.

Comments shall be submitted via the PUC’s efiling system, referencing Docket No. L-2019-3010267. All filings are to be made by e-filing or by electronic mail. 

Information about creating a free PUC efiling account and accessing the efiling system is available on the Commission’s website.

(Photo: Site of Revolution Pipeline explosion in September 2018.)

Related Articles - PUC:

-- PUC Imposes $1 Million Penalty On Energy Transfer Company For 2018 Revolution Pipeline Explosion In Beaver County

-- PUC Orders More Than A Dozen Actions To Improve Safety In Construction, Operation Of Mariner East Pipelines; Sunoco Must Pay $2,000 Penalty

-- PUC Approves 2nd Order On Reporting Integrity Of Sunoco's Mariner East 1 Pipeline, Leaves $200,000 Penalty In Place

-- Let’s Pass Some Good Environmental & Energy Legislation In 2022 - Instead Of Just Dog Whistles [Including Pipeline Safety Legislation]

Related Articles - Pipelines:

-- AG Shapiro Charges Energy Transfer Partners With Environmental Crimes Over Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion

-- AG Shapiro Charges Mariner East Pipeline With 48 Counts Of Environmental Crimes In 11 Counties

-- House Environmental Committee Fails To Discuss Poor Compliance, Record $55 Million In Penalties Imposed On Natural Gas/Hazardous Liquid Pipelines In Last 5 Years

-- DEP Issues $30.6 Million Penalty Over ETC Revolution Pipeline Explosion Violations; Lifts Permit Bar

-- Sunoco Mariner East II Pipeline Fined $12.6 Million, DEP Allows Construction To Resume

-- DEP Issues $1.95 Million Penalty To Sunoco For Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Violations At Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County

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[Posted: February 11, 2022]


2/14/2022

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