I202419 LOC

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Governor
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson,President
John R.Hammond,Jr.,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
Letter of Concern
November 12, 2024 Report# I202419
Pat Darras—Vice President of Engineering & Operations Services
Intermountain Gas Company
400 N 41h St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Dear Mr. Darras:
On November 6, 2024, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Pipeline Safety Division, pursuant
to Chapter 601 of Title 49, United States Code, conducted a construction inspection at 16342
Grade Ave, Caldwell, Idaho (24 JUS 1-6) of Intermountain Gas Company(IGC).
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 2024.
The item(s) listed below are of concern:
1. 49 CFR§192.605 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(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.
49 CFR 4192.503 General requirements.
(d) Each joint used to tie in a test segment of pipeline is excepted from the specific test
requirements of this subpart, but each non-welded joint must be leak tested at not less
than its operating pressure.
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8 Suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

OPS 505 Pressure testing.
LGENERAL
1.1. Pressure tests shall be performed on MDU Utilities Group (MDUG)pipelines and
facilities prior to being placed into service.
1.5. Pipe, fittings,joints (welds, fusions, bolted flanges, or similar), and components
involved in the pressure test must be rated to withstand the maximum test pressure and
shall be subjected to pressure tests unless it is impractical to do so.
Finding(s)•
IPUC staff observed a contractor for IGC attempt to complete the final mechanical fitting
(stab-type) to the house service line prior to a pressure test when IPUC intervened. The
contractor acknowledged the missed step and then cut the EFV and stab fittings from the
service line and proceeded to pressure test without including all fittings.
The above-mentioned item(s) were brought to the attention of IGC compliance representatives
during the inspection. We request that you review these matter(s) and respond in writing within
30 days regarding the above issue(s) including any planned corrective actions.
If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact me at(208) 334-0333. All
written responses should be addressed to me at: 11331 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.
Sincerely,
Jeff Brooks
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utility Commission