I202409 NOPV

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Governor
PA. B ox 83720, Boise,ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson,President
John R.Hammond,Jr,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
August 5, 2024 Report# I202409
Pat Darras—Vice President of Engineering & Operations Services
Intermountain Gas Company
400 N 4th St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Dear Mr. Pat Darras:
On July 24, 2024, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission"), Pipeline Safety
Division ("Staff'), conducted a construction inspection in Rupert, Idaho on service line number
02251-621 of Intermountain Gas Company ("IGC") pursuant to Chapter 601 of Title 49, United
States Code.
Staff observed that some of the Idaho natural gas system(s) owned and operated by IGC
("Company")was out of compliance on item(s). This results in probable violations of the pipeline
safety regulations Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192. The probable violations are as
follows:
PROBABLE VIOLATION(S)
1. 49 CFR 4192.805 Qualification Program
(h) After December 16, 2004, provide training, as appropriate, to ensure that
individuals performing covered tasks have the necessary knowledge and skills to
perform the tasks in a manner that ensures the safe operation of pipeline facilities; and
2. OPS 204 Qualifying Plastic Joiners
2.6 External Compressions Ring Mechanical Fittings: 192-1005.03 Joining of
Plastic Pipe—Met-Fit
2.6.1 A section of three-fourths inch(3/4") IPS, one and one-fourth inch(1 1/4")
IPS, or two-inch(2") IPS will be joined with an external compression ring
fitting per the manufacturer's procedure and/or instructions.
2.6.2 Qualified inspector observes the joining process to determine that the proper
procedure is being followed.
2.6.3 Qualified inspector shall visually examine the connection.
2.6.4 Successful test qualifies the individual for pipe diameters one-half inch(1/2")
CTS through two-inch(2") IPS.
IGC RUPERT CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION PROBABLE VIOLATIONS LETTER—PAGE 1

3. JM Eagle Met Fit
Per manufacture recommendations:
• Series 200 V-Tool is only to be used for to 1 '/4"pipe
• Series 200 Hydraulic Tool System is used for 2" pipe and can be used to
join 1 1/4"to 2"with the correct adapters
Findinds)•
IPUC staff observed a contract employee for IGC install a 3/4" Met-Fit Tee fitting. Per
contractor supervisor and FOC, the IGC OQ process to qualify employees and contractors
only utilizes the 2" hydraulic tool. No training was given for the use of the Series 200 V-
Tool.
The contractor also provided IPUC staff that the employee has improperly used the hand
tool and damaged several 3/4 Met-Fits while utilizing the Series 200 V-Tool without training
or qualification on the tool and lacked knowledge and skill on the tool. The damaged Met-
Fits were not put in service per communications.
REQUESTED ACTIONS
A reply to this correspondence is required no later than 45 days from the date of this letter. Please
submit a written reply providing a statement of all relevant facts including a complete description
of the corrective action(s) taken with respect to the above referenced probable violations, and all
actions to be taken to prevent future failures in these areas of concern. This written reply must be
signed by a Company official with authority to bind the Company.
Please send all documents to our office at 11331 W. Chinden Blvd, Boise, Idaho 83714-1021. Be
advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action may be a public record
and subject to disclosure under Idaho's Public Records Law. See Idaho Code §§74-101 et seq.
If you wish to dispute any of the above referenced potential violations,you have the right to appear
before the Pipeline Safety Division in an informal conference before September 19, 2024, at the
above address. You have the right to present relevant documents and evidence to the Pipeline
Safety Division at that conference. The Pipeline Safety Division will make available to you any
evidence which indicates that you may have violated the law, and you will have the opportunity to
rebut this evidence. See Commission Orders 35095 and 35334, which can be found at
https://puc.idaho.gov/. If you intend to request an informal conference,please contact the Pipeline
Safety Division no later than September 4, 2024.
If you wish to dispute any of the allegations in this Notice,but do not want an informal conference,
you may send the Pipeline Safety Division a written reply to this Notice. This written reply must
be filed with the Commission on or before September 19,2024,and must be signed by a Company
official with authority to bind the Company. The reply must include a complete statement of all
relevant facts, and all documentation, evidence, and argument the Company submits to refute any
of the above referenced probable violations.
If you do not respond to this notice by September 19, 2024, you may be subject to any
Commission enforcement action as allowed under Idaho law including,but not limited to,potential
IGC RUPERT CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION PROBABLE VIOLATIONS LETTER—PAGE 2

civil penalties of up to two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). See Idaho Code §61-712A.
If you have any questions concerning this Notice,please contact me at(208) 334-0333. All written
responses should be addressed to me at the above address, or you may fax your response to (208)
334-3762.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and your effort to promote pipeline safety.
Sincerely,
/effffBrooks
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.Ste 201-A Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]
IGC RUPERT CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION PROBABLE VIOLATIONS LETTER—PAGE 3