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Home My WebLink AboutI202512 NOPV Response EXECUTIVE OFFICES INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY 555 SOUTH COLE ROAD-P.O.BOX 7608• BOISE,IDAHO 83707•(208)377-6000•FAX:377-6097 November 5,2025 Mr.Jeff Brooks,Programs Manager Idaho Public Utility Commission PO Box 83720 Boise,ID 83720-0074 Subject:Response to the Notice of Probable Violation dated September 23,2025(Report#I202512) Dear Mr.Brooks, This letter is intended to address one(1)notice of probable violation stemming from a construction inspection in Jerome,ID conducted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission(IPUC)on September 17,2025,of Intermountain Gas Company(IGC)pursuant of Chapter 601 Title,49,United States Code. PROBABLE VIOLATION 1. 49 CFR§192,605 Procedural manual for operations.maintenance,and emergencies. General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipe, 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. 2. 49 CFR §192,756 Joining plastic pipe by heat fusion eauinment maintenance and calibration. Each operator must maintain equipment used in joining plastic pipe in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended practices or with written procedures that have been proven by test and experience to produce acceptable joints. 3. OPS 307 Polyethylene(PE)Main and Service Construction 4. Cleaning 4.1 Cleaning shall be performed per the manufacturer's instructions, or when butt fusing per TR-33 Appendix A. 4. TR-33 (2012 edition) — Generic Butt Fusion Joining Procedure for Field Joining of Polyethylene Pile 4.0 MELT.Heating tools that simultaneously heat both pipe ends are used to accomplish this operation. These heating tools are normally furnished with thermometers to measure internal heater temperature so the operator can monitor the temperature before each join is made.However,the thermometer can be used only as a general indicator because there is some heat loss from internal to external surfaces, depending on factors such as ambient temperatures and wind conditions.A pyrometer or other surface temperature-measuring device should be used before the first joint of the day is made and periodically throughout the day to insure proper temperature of the heating tool face that contacts the pipe or fitting ends. Additionally, heating tools are usually equipped with suspension and alignment guides that center them on the pipe ends. The heater faces that come into contact with the pipe should be clean, oil-free and coated with nonstick coating as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent molten plastic from sticking to heater surfaces.Remaining molten plastic can interfere with fusion quality and must be removed according to the tool manufacturer's instructions. Never use chemical cleaners or solvents to clean heating tool surfaces. EXECUTIVE OFFICES INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY 555 SOUTH COLE ROAD-P.O.BOX 7608• BOISE,IDAHO 83707• (208)377-6000• FAX:377-6097 5. McElroy Operator's Manual—1LC Fusion Machine Clean Heater Surfaces The hoo*-must be kept clean and free of any placbc buildup, q concern-notion and scrwches. Bekxv each lemon is mode,the surface of dw heater~.t be wped wiM a clean,non;ynlhetic cio-h 1 LC Fusion Machine Checklist hem to C},eck satisfactory Needs Repair Comments Repair UNIff Machine is coon Clomp knob bearing:lubricated and move freely movable iaw mows freely Lacking cam works properly Guide rods ofe not damaged Clamping jow and insert grooves ore clean AO null and bolts ore tight fACER Check kw ploy in Mode holder Facer does not wobble when hopped between jaw: Blades are in good condition Latch handle locks onto guide rod bvely Facer maws on guide rods without oxconive 6ce Facer is clean and free of grvose on blode holder surface HEMER Hvotw surface is rdewt and in good condilan Thermometer C in good vvrking order Sunoco twrtpwature chocked with pyrome er EXECUTIVE OFFICES INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY 555 SOUTH COLE ROAD-P.O.BOX 7608- BOISE,IDAHO 83707•(208)377-6000"FAX:377-6097 Finding(s)• A KV employee was found fusing with a dirty heater surface. Per manufactures recommendations from McElroy Operations Manual—1 LC Fusion Machine"heater surfaces must be kept clean and free of any plastic build up, contamination and scratches."KV employees were told by their managers to stop fusing until the heater can be cleaned or replaced. O 142°SE M *42.44-7"N,"7-3T12"W!9ft ♦3748ft ;t.N ri Rr' V •��11� ' . r Iron Condition Photo Intermountain Gas ResLonse IGC acknowledges the findings brought forth by the IPUC. All fusions conducted with the fusion machine that day were cut out. The crew was instructed to clean the heater surface prior to continuing work or use a new fusion machine. Additionally, fusions procedures were reviewed with the crew reiterating the importance of a clean heater surface. Please contact Josh Sanders at(701)222-7773 with questions or comments. Respectfully Submitted, �G1I"�✓G�L-[.�0�— Pat Darras Vice President,Engineering&Operations Services Intermountain Gas Company