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Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Gas Pipeline Safety
Pipelines -State and Local Issues
Pete ChaceGPS Program Manager
(614) [email protected]
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
The Federal Pipeline Safety Program
• The Federal Pipeline Safety Statute is 49 USC (“United States Code”) 60101-60301
• Congress created the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the U.S. Department of Transportation to regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of gas and liquid pipelines.
• Federal “Pipeline Safety Regulations” are contained in 49 CFR (“Code of Federal Regulations”) 191-199.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
The Federal-State Partnership
• The Ohio Revised Code section 4905.90 to 4905.96 grants the Public Utilities Commission the authority to enforce the Pipeline Safety Regulations for in-state gas pipelines.
• The Commission is also an interstate agent – we inspect interstate pipeline systems although PHMSA retains enforcement authority.
• The Commission maintains a cooperative agreement with PHMSA where Staff performs audits and inspections, and provides reporting data to PHMSA and in exchange the Commission receives a grant to fund operating expenses.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Regulations Enforced by PUCO
• 49 CFR– Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and
Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards
– Part 191 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Annual Reports, Incident Reports, and Safety Related Condition Reports
– Part 199 – Drug and Alcohol Testing– Part 40 – Drug and Alcohol Testing
Procedures
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Liquid Pipelines
• 49 CFR 195 – Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
• The Commission does not have authority to enforce 49 CFR 195.
• Liquid lines are regulated through the PHMSA Central Region office in Kansas City.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
What is in the Pipeline Safety Regulations (49 CFR
192)?• Design of Piping and Pipeline Components
• Welding Standards• Joining of Plastic
Piping• General
Construction Requirements
• Standards for Meters and Service Lines
• Corrosion Control• Pressure Testing
and establishment of Max. Operating Pressure
• Pipeline Operations• Maintenance• Training
Requirements• Integrity
Management (risk based threat assessment)
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Pipeline Siting Considerations
• Siting of liquid pipelines and interstate gas pipelines are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Permits issued after considering environmental impact and public need.
• The Ohio Power Siting Board regulates siting of natural gas lines within Ohio. Pipelines greater than 9” diameter operating at > 125 psig are subject to regulation.
• Siting of oil and gas production lines is not regulated.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Pipeline Design and Operation Standards
• Pipelines may not operate above a Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure. This is determined by engineering factors and population density around the pipeline.
• Operational standards include corrosion control, overpressure protection, damage prevention (line marking prior to excavation), visual inspection of the pipeline right-of-way, leak detection and leak repair.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Inspection and Leak Notification Requirements
• Gas lines – primary purpose to prevent fire/explosion hazards.
• Liquid lines – also must protect environmentally sensitive areas.
• Maximum operating pressure, frequency of visual inspections and leak detection changes depending on population density and (for liquid lines only) presence of “unusually sensitive areas”.
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Unusually Sensitive Areas
• Defined in the liquid pipeline regulations• Water intake for a Community Water System
(CWS) or Non-transient Non-community Water System (NTNCWS)
• Source Water Protection Areas (SWPA)• Sole source aquifer recharge areas• Areas containing aquatic threatened or
endangered species
Ohio’s One-Stop Utility Resource
Ohio Oil and Gas Production• Major natural gas and natural gas liquids deposits
can be commercially exploited in Ohio due to advances in technology. These deposits are in what is known as the Utica and Marcellus shale formations.
• PUCO regulates the design, construction and operation of gathering lines collecting gas from these fields. ODNR regulates drilling and production. Recent changes to the Ohio Revised Code (Ohio law) allow us to regulate some lines that would otherwise be exempt from regulation.
