I201912 LOC

U
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Govemor PO Box 83720,Boise,ID 83720-0074 Paul Kjellander,Commissioner
Kristine Raper,Commissioner
Eric Anderson,Commissioner
Letter of Concern
December 11, 2019 Report# 1201912
Pat Darras
Intermountain Gas Company
400 N 4t' St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Dear Mr. Darras:
On December 5, 2019, representatives of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Pipeline Safety,
pursuant to Chapter 601 of Title 49, United States Code, conducted an onsite construction
inspection of the 583-1983 project located at 828 Broadmoor Ave, in Twin Falls, Idaho.
As a result of the inspection, it appears there are area(s) of concern that do not fully meet the
intent of the pipeline safety regulations Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192 for
calendar year 2019.
The item(s) listed below are of concern:
1. § 192.605(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline, a
manual of written procedures for conducting operations and maintenance activities and
for emergency response. For transmission lines, the manual must also include
procedures for handling abnormal operations. This manual must be reviewed and
updated by the operator at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each
calendar year. This manual must be prepared before operations of a pipeline system
commence. Appropriate parts of the manual must be kept at locations where operations
and maintenance activities are conducted.
During an inspection of a KV utilities crew, a contractor for IGC, the improper use of a squeezer
was observed by one of our inspectors. It was noted that the crew was attempting to perform a
squeeze of a service stub without the use of a ground rod per procedure 4100.1 (2.2) of IGC's
Operations and Maintenance Manual. Additionally the use of soapy burlap at the pipe to soil
interface was not used. Another concern identified is, in IGC's 0&M manual the only mention of
how to apply a sgeezer is listed in 4100.1 Section 2 Abandonment of polyethlene pipe.
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8,Suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

The above mentioned items were brought to the attention of your representatives during the
onsite inspections. We would request that you review these matters and respond in writing
within 30 days regarding the above issue including any planned corrective actions.
If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact me at [phone]. All
written responses should be addressed to me at: 11311 W Chinden Blvd, Ste 201-A, Boise,
Idaho 83714 or you can fax your response to [phone].
Because of the good faith that you have exhibited up to this time, we expect that you will take
action to bring your program into compliance with pipeline safety regulations.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and your effort to promote pipeline safety.
Sin rely,
Darrin M. me
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utility Commission
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8,Suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]