I202602 NOPV

' Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Governor
` �- P.O.Box 83720, Boise,ID 83720-0074 Edward Lodge,President
John R.Hammond,Jr.,Commissioner
Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
February 2, 2026 Report# I202602
Pat Darras—Vice President of Engineering & Operations Services
Intermountain Gas Company
400 N 4th St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Dear Mr. Pat Darras,
On January 26-27, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission"), Pipeline Safety
Division ("Staff'), conducted a construction inspection in Ammon, ID 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 VIOLATIONS)
1. 49 CFR W2.605 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
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.
2. 49 CFR 4192.756 Joining plastic pipe by heat fusion equipment 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.
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 1 of 8

3. OPS 307 Polyethylene (PE) Main and Service Construction
2. Material Inspection
2.1. New Pipe and Fittings:
2.1.1. Pipe and fittings with gouges or scratches exceeding 10% of wall thickness
shall not be installed.
2.1.2. Creased or folded material (e.g., kinked pipe) shall not be installed.
2.1.3. Each length of pipe and each fitting shall be visually inspected prior to
installation to ensure that it has no damage or defects that could impair its
serviceability.
2.1.4. Materials suspected of being damaged or defective shall not be installed.
Damages or defects that did not occur during transportation, installation, or
testing (e.g., damaged and defective material received from the manufacturer)
shall be reported via a Material and/or Component Failure Report(MCFR) JIRA
ticket. Contractors shall contact their MDUG representative (e.g., Field
Operations Coordinator, Third-Party Inspector, local District Management, etc.)
immediately after identifying a material failure. Refer to OPS 625 —Material and
Construction Failure Reporting and Investigation.
2.1.5. Defective or damaged pipe and fittings discovered prior to being placed
into service shall be removed and discarded.
2.1.6. Refer to OPS 11 - Storage and Handling of Plastic Pipe and Components
for loading, hauling, and unloading requirements.
4. Cleaning
4.1 Cleaning shall be performed per the manufacturer's instructions, or when butt fusing
per TR-33 Appendix A.
5.11 Butt fusions shall be made in accordance with TR-33 Appendix A.
NOTE: TR-33 was used to develop ASTM 2620-19, making the level of safety in TR-33
equivalent to that of ASTM 2620-19.
4. TR-33 (2012 edition)- Generic Butt Fusion Joining Procedure for Field Joining of
Polyethylene Pipe
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 joint 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 a nonstick
coating as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent molten plastic from sticking to
the 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.
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 2 of 8

7.0 VISUAL INSPECTION
Visually inspect and compare the joint against the manufacturer's recommended
appearance guidelines. Visually, the width of butt fusion beads should be approximately
2-2 1/2 times the bead height above the pipe and the beads should be rounded and
uniformly sized all around the pipe circumference. The v-groove between the beads
should not be deeper than half the bead height above the pipe surface. When butt fusing
to molded fittings, the fitting-side bead may display shape irregularities such as minor
indentations, deflections and non-uniform bead rollover from molded part cooling and
knit lines. In such cases, visual evaluation is based mainly on the size and shape of the
pipe-side bead. (See Appendix D for bead configuration). Visually unacceptable joints
should be cut out and re-fused using the correct procedure. (See manufacturer's visual
inspection guidelines)
5. McElroy Operator's Manual— ILC Fusion Machine
Clean Heater Surfaces �J ^
The heater must be kept clean and free of any plastic build-up, m
r;
contamination and scratches. � 9
Before each fusion is made,the surface of the heater must be R
wiped with a clean,non-synthetic cloth.
raanarcia
1 LC Fusion Machine Checklist
Rem to check Satisfactory Needs Repair comments
Repair
UNIT
Machine is dean
Clamp knob bearings lubricated and move freely
Movable jaw moves freely
Locking cam works properly
Guide nods are not damaged
Clamping jaw and insert grooves are clean
All nuts and bolts are tight
FACER
Check for play in blade holder
Facer does not wobble when trapped between jaws
Blades are in good condition
Latch handle locks onto guide rod freely
Facer moves on guide rods without excessive force
Facer is clean and free of grease on blade holder
surface
HEATER
Heater surface is clean and in good condition
Thermometer is in good working order
Surface temperature chocked with pyrometer
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 3 of 8

6. 49 CFR& 192.53 General
Materials for pipe and components must be:
(a) Able to maintain the structural integrity of the pipeline under temperature and other
environmental conditions that may be anticipated;
(b) Chemically compatible with any gas that they transport and with any other material
in the pipeline with which they are in contact; and
(c) Qualified in accordance with the applicable requirements of this subpart.
7. 49 CFR 4 192.59 Plastic pipe
(a)New plastic pipe is qualified for use under this part if:
(1) It is manufactured in accordance with a listed specification;
(2) It is resistant to chemicals with which contact may be anticipated; and
(3) It is free of visible defects.
8. 49 CFR 4 192.321 Installation of plastic pipe
(d)Plastic pipe must have a minimum wall thickness in accordance with § 192.121.
9. 49 CFR 4 192.121 Design of plastic pipe
(2) For PE pipe produced on or after January 22, 2019, a DF of 0.40 may be used in the
design formula,provided:
(iv)The wall thickness for a given outside diameter is not less than that listed in Table
1 to this paragraph(c (2)(iv):
PE pipe:minimum wall thickness and SDR values
Pipe size Minimum wall thickness Corresponding dimension
(inches) (inches) ratio(values)
'i2"CTS 0.090 7
1/2"IPS 0.090 9.3
3i4"CTS 0.090 9.7
3i4"IPS 0.095 11
10. OPS 327 Inspection, Evaluation, and Repair of Pipelines
6. PLASTIC (MDPE, HDPE) REPAIRS
6.1. Refer to OPS 309—Squeeze-Off of Plastic Pipe prior to performing a squeeze-off.
6.2. Refer to OPS 301 — Excess Flow Valves for EFV requirements on service line
repairs.
6.3. Sections of pipe with gouges or scratches on pipe and fittings greater than 10%wall
loss, pipe with creases or folds (e.g., kinked pipe), or any anomaly or defect that may
impact the overall integrity and serviceability of plastic pipe shall be removed and
replaced.
6.4. Damaged pipeline segments shall be taken out of service and a cylindrical section of
pipe shall be removed and replaced with new pipe section of equal or greater design
strength.
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 4 of 8

6.4.1. HDPE pipe with a MAOP of 60 psig or less may be repaired with MDPE pipe.
6.5. Standard repair methods for the replaced section include:
6.5.1. Stab type mechanical fittings shall not be installed after December 31, 2024.
6.5.2. One -half(1/2") inch CTS should be repaired with a one -half(1/2") inch CTS X
three-fourths (3/4") inch IPS external compressions ring mechanical fittings and three-
fourths (3/") inch IPS pipe.
6.5.3. Three-fourths (1/") inch IPS should be repaired with external compressions ring
mechanical fittings or electrofusion couplers.
Findinjj(s)
• Staff witnessed contractors butt fusing with a dirty heater surface at 3062 and 3076 Elixir
Rd Ammon, Idaho (split service). Upon staff identification, the employees were told by
their manager to stop fusing until the heater could be cleaned or replaced. A second
contaminated heater was then used. The third iron did not have as much plastic
contamination, but scratches and gouges were visible.
• Mechanical damages (shovel strike gouges) were identified on the service stub. The
damaged stub was then put into service.
• Contractor employees performed and accept fusions with inadequate roll back on 3/4"butt
fusions at 3043 Elixir Rd, Ammon, ID.
Reference Photo ra hs-
.
0 246°SW(T) J 43°27'22"N,111°58'21"W±13ft •4707ft 0 275°W(T) O. 43°27'22"N,111°58'21"W±13ft ♦4708ft
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t ,li
1 sc Iron—Used - EWN 629232
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 5 of 8

NE E SE NE E SE
20 l 90
®99°E(T) O 43-27'21"N,111°58'22"W±32ft •4723ft 0 WE(T) O 43°27'21"N,111058'22"W±32ft •4723ft
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2nd Iron—Used- EWN 215700 f
®92°E M OO 43°27'21"N,111°58'21"W±13ft •4707ft O 1020E(T) OO 43°27'21"N,11.1°58'21"W±16ft •4710ft
1 k '
Yd Iron
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 6 of 8

O 311°NW(T) V,43-27-21"N,111"58'21"W±6ft ♦4712ft 0 283"W(T) ®43"27'21'N,111"58'21"W±9ft ♦4708ft
, ' fir+4 '
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Damaged Pipe—EWN-215700
,
01°N(1) ,r 43°27'23"N,111058'24"W±45ft A 4715ft 0 2661W(f) 0 43"27'23"N,111158'24W±45ft •4708ft
�', "
f. l
Inadequate Rollback on V PE Butt Fusion—EWN-515107
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 7 of 8

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 March 19,2026,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 March 4, 2026.
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 March 19, 2026, 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.
These violations may be subject to any Commission enforcement action as allowed under Idaho
law including, but not limited to,potential civil penalties in accordance with 49 CFR 190.223(a).
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
Jeff Brooks
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.Ste 201-A Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]
NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION I202602—Page 8 of 8